Surprise. That’s precisely the point of The Ha Ha. It is a sunken ditch that serves as a boundary. It allows a continuous vista to create an illusion. The garden and landscape appear as one undivided space.
Let’s delve into the story of The Ha Ha. It was a common way for landowners to keep large areas of grassland trimmed. Livestock was used. This prevented grazing animals on large estates from reaching the lawn. It also kept them away from the gardens adjoining the house.
There are differing opinions on how The Ha Ha got its name. Some say it’s from pedestrians’ shocked exclamation upon finding themselves in a ditch. Others believe it’s from spectators seeing a walker suddenly disappear from sight.
The Ha Ha here is an unusually long example. It separates the Royal Artillery Barracks Field from Woolwich Common. It was installed around 1774. Its purpose was to prevent sheep and cattle from wandering onto the Royal Artillery gunnery range. These animals were grazing on Woolwich Common. They were on their way to the London meat markets.
The term “ha-ha” has French origins. It first appeared in print in Dezallier d’Argenville’s 1709 book. It explained that the name comes from the surprise viewers express. They recognize the optical illusion.
Imagine grills of iron extending the view. People made thoroughviews, called Ah, Ah. These are openings in the walls. They lack grills. There is a large, deep ditch at their foot. This surprises the eye. It makes one laugh, “Ha. Ha.” That’s where it gets its name.
Horace Walpole believed the name came from ordinary folk’s reaction. They were astonished. They found a sudden check to their walk.
Before lawn mowers, livestock kept grasslands trimmed. The Ha Ha stopped animals from accessing lawns and gardens. It gave a continuous vista. The garden and landscape seemed undivided.
The basic design of sunken ditches has ancient roots. They were features of deer parks in Anglo-Saxon England. These deer-leaps allowed deer to enter the park. They could not leave.
In Britain, Charles Bridgeman and William Kent used The Ha Ha. It became essential to Capability Brown’s “swept” views.
Most often, ha-has are found on grand country houses and estates. They keep animals out of formal gardens. They do this without needing obtrusive fencing.
Here, The Ha Ha is well-maintained by the Ministry of Defence. It is a Listed Building. Ha-Ha Road runs alongside it.
The Royal Crescent in Bath also features a large ha-ha. It provides an uninterrupted view of Royal Victoria Park.
Be mindful of The Ha Ha’s hidden nature. It can cause injury. Owners are liable for accidents if lighting or signage is inadequate.
The judge considered ha-has unusual. They are concealed. The public may be unaware of them.
The primary purpose of The Ha Ha is keeping grazing animals out of gardens. You can still see this today.
The Ha Ha. A blend of function and surprise. A testament to landscape design.