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All the United Kingdom England Loddington Lampy the Garden Gnome

Lampy the Garden Gnome

The first German gnome who popularized the garden decoration.

Loddington, England

Added By
Alex Timian
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Lampy, the original garden gnome   John Robertson
Lampy, the original garden gnome   John Robertson
Lampy the Garden Gnome   Lamport Hall
  Lamport Hall
  Lamport Hall
Lamport Hall, where Lampy can be visited  
A replica of Lampy the garden gnome   AmosWolfe
  Steve 55 / Atlas Obscura User
  Steve 55 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1847, Sir Charles Isham came back from Germany with a strange set of 21 gnomes. Made out of terra cotta, sloppy clay poured into formation, the gnomes sent waves through the United Kingdom as soon as they set foot on British shores.

Prior to their arrival in the U.K., gnomes had long since been a part of German culture. Phillip Griebel, a German sculptor, was well in tune with popular legends of gnomes in Germany, and began creating them as garden decorations in the 19th century. After reaching the U.K. with Sir Isham, their spread was unstoppable, especially after Sir Isham sprinkled the grounds of his estate, Lamport Hall with the diminutive decorations.

Of the original 21 gnomes brought back from Germany, only one still exists today. Isham's daughters, who hated the gnomes, removed 20 of them from their property, but they overlooked one. The gnome that got away was Lampy, and he has happily made his home at Lamport Hall since his journey from Germany in 1847. Over 150 years old, he is considered the oldest garden gnome in the world.

In 1997, Lampy was insured for £1 million and is estimated to be worth £2 million. Visitors can see the grumpy garden fellow on display in Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire.

Related Tags

Gardens Gnomes Monuments

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Located on the A508 between Northampton and Market Harborough

Community Contributors

Added By

atimian

Edited By

Blindcolour, Steve 55, Michelle Cassidy, theannemeadows

  • Blindcolour
  • Steve 55
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • theannemeadows

Published

October 4, 2011

Updated

September 8, 2023

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Sources
  • http://www.justsaygnome.net/general-gnome-and-garden-gnome-information.html
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-1356722/No-place-like-gnome-After-years-obscurity-humble-garden-ornament-making-surprise-comeback.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Isham
Lampy the Garden Gnome
Lamport Hall
Loddington, England, NN14 1LA
United Kingdom
52.396336, -0.805642
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Rothwell Bone Crypt

Rothwell, England

miles away

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Northamptonshire, England

miles away

All Saints' Church, Brixworth

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,212
Stories 145

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,212
Stories 145

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