The Circus was John Wood the elder’s masterpiece. It was a design of startling originality. Drawing his inspiration from antique models as far apart as the Coliseum and Stonehenge, he created a bold architectural statement all his own. Notice the acorns, symbolising druidism, above the parapet. Wood was a muddled but enthusiastic antiquarian, enamoured of symbols. The frieze above the doors is full of them, all taken from a fortune-telling book.