Who was involved in creating the pleasure grounds?
Nathaniel Curzon was a bit of a talent spotter and dedicated to following the latest fashions. Several architects and landscape gardeners started their careers at Kedleston and moved on to become household names in the late 18th century.
Of these Robert Adam is the most well-known. But he was preceded at Kedleston by William Emes, who’d been hired as a gardener in 1756. Samuel Wyatt, who is probably responsible for the design of the stables, also made his mark in the pleasure grounds by designing the pedestal for the lion and by moving a mature beech to the south lawn from a different part of the park.
William Emes was succeeded as head gardener by John Sandys, who later became involved in the landscaping at Holkham Hall in Norfolk. Arthur Young credited Lady Caroline as the driving force behind the pleasure grounds. Her mother-in-law, Mary Curzon, was the creator of a garden nearby and may also have been involved.