Positive News: Restoring the curved walled garden at Berrington Hall Herefordshire

[Hereford Voice]

Berrington hall is embarking on urgent conservation work in the curved garden thanks to the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund. This work will be carried out on the original eighteenth-century walls within the curved garden; 'Capability' Brown's final masterpiece and the only one of its kind to survive the centuries intact. Although the wider garden project is on pause for now, read on to discover more about the work we will be carrying out in 2020 and 2021.

Berrington’s walled garden and pleasure grounds was the final landscape masterpiece of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Commissioned in 1775, the curved walled garden is the only one of its kind to survive and thanks to our supporters, they are now able to begin the urgent restoration work needed to save this unique vestige of Georgian garden design.

The rare curved walled garden at Berrington Hall - Image courtesy of Berrington Hall

What is happenening in the garden?

From Wednesday 28 October, work began to carefully and sensitively deconstruct the existing and former farmyard buildings in the curved walled garden. These buildings are having a detrimental impact on the original eighteenth century curved wall. This work is necessary to ensure the brickwork does not continue to deteriorate and that this internationally significant garden is preserved for generations to come. This work will continue until mid-November. The wider garden project is on pause for now, but this vital element of the conservation work has been made possible by the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund. We're very grateful to DCMS for supporting this project and allowing us to save 'Capability' Brown's final curved walled garden and the only one of its kind to survive the centuries intact. The curved garden will be closed during this time, but you’ll be able to see the work in action from a designated viewing area.

From 16 November until mid-March 2021, work begins on urgent repair work and conservation of the curved garden walls. This work will be taking place inside the curved garden itself, but you will be able to see some of the brick work repairs in action from the kitchen garden.

Come and see the project unfold on your next visit and rediscover the gardens, whether it’s for health and wellbeing or encountering enchanting seasonal displays. Although much of our work has been put on hold for now, our long-term plan is to revive and reimagine the walled garden and pleasure grounds, developing the space to showcase creative arts, high horticulture and community engagement to create a 21st century vision for an 18th century garden. 

As a conservation charity, they rely on the support of visitors to ensure that they can carry out these large scale projects to keep places like Berrington here for everyone, for ever. Contact a member of the team about how you can get involved and support the project on your next visit. 

Full details can be found HERE

[Hereford Voice]

Work continues to save 'Capability' Brown's final curved walled garden thanks to a grant from the Government's Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. They are now carefully restoring the original walls which you can see in action over the next few months.