Moon and Crescent Ponds
MOON AND CRESCENT PONDS
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1150612
- Date first listed:
- 11-Jun-1986
- List Entry Name:
- Moon and Crescent Ponds
- Statutory Address:
- MOON AND CRESCENT PONDS
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1150612
- Date first listed:
- 11-Jun-1986
- List Entry Name:
- Moon and Crescent Ponds
- Statutory Address 1:
- MOON AND CRESCENT PONDS
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- MOON AND CRESCENT PONDS
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- North Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Lindrick with Studley Royal and Fountains
- National Grid Reference:
- SE 28034 68872
Details
SE 2868 LINDRICK WITH STUDLEY STUDLEY PARK ROYAL AND FOUNTAINS
9/77 Moon and Crescent Ponds
GV II*
3 ponds flanking the Canal. Completed by 1728. For John Aislabie. Stone and clay lined. The Moon Pond is circular with a submerged paved causeway to the centre from the south-west, and the flanking Crescent Ponds fit within the large semicircular grassed terrace which forms the dramatic foreground to the Temple of Piety (qv). The ponds are fed by small sluices and underground timber box culverts from the Canal (qv). The importance of the garden layout is that it predates similar work by William Kent who was almost certainly known by Aislabie through Lord Burlington. John Aislabie was advised by Colen Campbell (floruit 1715-29) in the design of the High Stables (qv) and the Palladian influence continues through his contact with Lord Burlington in the design of the Temple of Piety (qv). William Kent (floruit 1730-39) designed Holkham Hall (1734) the front of which is reflected in a large circular pool (Summerson p 341), very reminiscent of the Temple and the semicircular terrace framing the Moon Pond which were completed 6 years before Holkham was begun. A further link with the leading architectural influences of the day is the fact that the Moon Pond was originally lined with Termes, a form of statuary displayed at Chiswick House (begun 1725). These facts lead one to the conclusion that John Aislabie practised in the north of England the theories he discussed with leading architects of the day but which they themselves were only just putting into practise. William Kent is credited with the first garden layouts which allowed semi-formal gardens to merge with the landscape beyond, but here again Aislabie at Studley Royal predates Kent at Chiswick and Stowe. Mary Keen, Studley Royal, The Garden, Vol 108, 1983. J Summerson, Architecture in Britain, 1530-1830, 1977 pp 300-346. W T C Walker, personal communication.
Listing NGR: SE2803468872
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 331081
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Summerson, J, Architecture in Britain 1530-1830, (1970), 300-346
The Garden in The Garden, Vol. 108, (1983)
Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 32 North Yorkshire,
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 16-Jun-2026 at 15:47:15.
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