British gardens and garden buildings have held particular importance in British artistic and cultural life over the last four centuries, as well as influenced the development of the architectural and landscape ideas of the European and North American continents. An English Arcadia 1600–1990 documents the history of these gardens and buildings.

The exhibition consists of 125 original drawings, engravings, and watercolours related to historic country estates owned by Britain’s National Trust. Designs are by some of Britain’s most notable architects and garden designers. Also included are a number of objects relating to the history of British garden design from three areas of the CCA Collection: The John Harris Collection of English Country House Guides; early British publications on the theory and practice of landscape and garden design; and a group of landscape documents from the Prints and Drawings Collection.

Curated by Gervase Jackson-Stops, National Trust.