Trip Ideas - Gardens
Hertfordshire is an area rich in horticultural attractions from the Gardens of the Rose near St Albans which boasts over 30,000 roses, to Hitchin, which has a long tradition of lavender growing, dating back 400 years. Here, a revival of this local crop began in 2000 at Hitchin lavender at Cadwell Farm, Ickleford. Eight acres are now planned with five varieties - Ashdown Forest, Folgate, Grosso, Lullington Castle and Maillette. The ten miles of lavender rows on the chalky hillside face west and can be viewed from the footpaths.
Close to Hitchin is Letchworth Garden City where you can visit the First Garden City Heritage Museum, it tells the story of the Garden City Movement from its origins to the present day. Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence, near Welwyn was the home of George Bernard Shaw until his death in 1906. The garden was principally a place for relaxation and exercise, with an area set aside for Shaw to chop wood. The garden was extended in 1920, when Shaw bought land from his friend Apsley Cherry-Garrard, and now totals 3.5 acres.
At the bottom of the garden is the revolving hut, originally Charlotte Shaw's summer house, but which was annexed by Shaw and where he found the peace he needed to write.
Benington Lordship, near Stevenage dates back to 850 when King Mercia Beortwulf held a Great Council at his palace and castle. Throughout the centuries the house and grounds have changed owners many times to its present owners the Bott family. The family have designed the present garden with an emphasis on the atmosphere.
The garden is interesting all year round and in tune with nature. This is achieved by a clever mixture of formality and wilderness, with extensive collections of plants and wildlife flowers. The garden is renowned for its outstanding display of snowdrops. The animal Chilli Festival at Bennington takes place August Bank Holiday weekend. Hopleys Garden in Much Hadham is a plantsman’s garden of four acres, featuring perennials, shrubs, trees in a wonderful parkland setting. Combine your visit with the Forge Museum, which still has a working blacksmith and a Victorian cottage garden.
Why not plan a longer visit to the gardens of Hatfield and Knebworth Houses and combine you visits with the house and garden or one of the garden festival. Hatfield House dates from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil, Ist Earl of Salisbury, employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants for his new home. Tradescant was sent to Europe where he found and brought back trees, bulbs, plants and fruit trees, which had never previously been grown in England. This beautifully designed garden included orchards, elaborate fountains, scented plants, terraces and herb gardens.
Today, the garden to the West of the house, which includes the Herb, Knot and Wilderness areas, can be seen when the house is open. However, all 42 acres, including the Kitchen Garden and the formal parterres to the East of the house leading down to the lake, are open especially for garden enthusiasts on Thursdays (except during August).
At Knebworth House gardens have existed since the 1600's. The present layout dates from Victorian and Edwardian times, with more recent additions and improvements. In their Victorian heyday, the Gardens were well known for their Italianate layout attributed to the eccentric statesman and author Edward Bulwer-Lytton The central formal area was later simplified in 1911 by the Edwardian architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Since 1980 the gardens have been undergoing a programme of restoration and development. The aim is to restore many of the gardens' original features as well as add new features to improve ease of access and enjoyment of the gardens
Also See: Garden Tours
