Ferme ornée

The term ferme ornee, meaning ornamental farm, describes a country estate laid out partly according to aesthetic principles and partly for farming, a term derived from Stephen Switzer's writing in The Nobleman, Gentleman and Gardener's Recreation of 1715. The original example, Woburn Farm, was made by Philip Southcote after he bought the property in 1734, and William Shenstone's garden at The Leasowes was also a ferme ornee; Marie Antoinette later made an example at Versailles, the Hameau de la Reine, built between 1783 and 1787, more for pleasure than food production, while the Dessau-Worlitz Garden Realm was said to be the largest ferme ornee in 18th century Europe and Larchill near Kilcock, Ireland is said to be the most complete surviving example.