Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames

A good modern 5-ring armillary sphere from David Harber, set on a square section tapered pillar in the centre of the lawn behind and to the north of the house. It is inscribed with the maker’s name and date, and the latitude and longitude (though actually shown as 51 35 46, 0 55 59). Roman numerals show GMT hours 6am to 6pm, using IV for 4pm, divided to 15 minutes. The major rings are labelled Horizon, Polar and Meridian. On the horizon ring is ’To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour’ (William Blake), and also ’There is a time and place for everything; this is the place and this is the time’.