Chance to hunt out Diana’s temple

Wednesday 6th August 2008, 11:33AM BST.

wd2949496tearoom-tt-05.jpgWith stunning architecture, tall domed ceilings and decades-old paintings adorning the walls, here is a first glimpse into a stunning temple which has opened its doors for the first time on the Wolverhampton-Staffordshire border.

Inspired by the Roman goddess for hunting, the Temple of Diana, was originally built at Weston Park as a garden building for Sir Henry Bridgeman in the 1770s.

Architect James Paine designed a large glazed orangery at the temple based on his unexecuted designs for the Knavesmire Grandstand at York Racecourse.

He also created a large domed circular tea room which is decorated with paintings illustrating the scenes from the life of Diana by the painter GB Colombo.

The temple has taken on many uses over the years, including as a place to brew tea by Lady Bridgeman and later as a place to store valuable china. For the past 15 years the temple has been lived in by a family who restored it back to award-winning glory. But after the tenants moved out, it was decided to open it to the public for the first time.

Visitors can get a glimpse of the rooms which would have been brought to life with tea parties in years gone by as well as the basement which the maid would have used to churn butter and the bedroom she would have slept in. 

The temple will be open until August 12 from 11am to 1pm. Admission to the park is £5 for adults, £3 for children and £4.50 for senior citizens.



Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Book a Business Awards table Book a Business Awards table

Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.