VISITORS to John Ruskin's Home at Brantwood can take a trip through purgatory this spring.

From May 20, souls seeking spiritual enlightenment, intellectual stimulation and a good lung-full of fresh air can take themselves off to Brantwood's grounds, near Coniston, to explore Dante's literary creation in a new way.

The new garden is an interpretation of the different levels of Purgatory described by the medieval Italian author in his Divine Comedy.

Thanks to the Brantwood estate team, visitors can take a walk through a 21st Century interpretation of Ruskin's vision of the path up the Purgatorial Mount towards the first circle of earthly paradise.

A stroke of divine inspiration and a drop of artistic licence backed up with months of hard graft have seen an idea which Ruskin toyed with more than 100 years ago brought to fruition.

The idea was based on two small sketches, by Ruskin, of what he called the "Zig Zaggy" garden. A known fan of Dante, Ruskin's thumbnail sketches appear to be basic plans for a terraced garden at his Brantwood home.

A team of staff built on Ruskin's designs, creating a walk, which follows Dante's path through purgatory.

Its modern-day creator Sally Beamish said the project, in the grounds of what was Ruskin's home from 1872 to 1900, was designed to appeal to visitors from tiny tots to greying grandparents.

The gentle slopes of the path to paradise wind gradually up the hillside and the walk is dotted with unusual materials from synthetic thorns to sheep wool and sculpture.

The purgatory walk allows easy access to views of the lake and surrounding fells and the project also includes a restoration of the High Walk, a Victorian viewing platform, first created by Ruskin's cousin Joan Severn.

l Chairman of Cumbria Tourist Board Eric Robson will open the garden on May 20.

May 1, 2003 15:00