The Victorians certainly did know how to create a stylish glassed-in greenhouse. Enville Gardens, near Stourbridge, part of a 100-acres of gardens open to the public since at least the 1860s. This connects with my family tree, re: glass-making at nearby Wordsley and then Birmingham, and the new market appreciation for glass. Also, it seems likely that some of the family members would have visited there.

It had a fine send-off. It was spectacularly blown up with explosives as a practice demolition exercise by the Royal Engineers, before they embarked for the Second World War.