 |
Ten Gardens to Visit in Bedfordshire |
 |
There is a wealth of inspiration and relaxation to enjoy for the active and passive garden enthusiast in Bedfordshire. You can find information about gardens to visit through the library web site.
Discover useful Gardening websites in
Weblinks, including a link to the National
Garden Scheme web site.
Many villages in this and surrounding counties open their gardens for charity
through the National Garden Scheme raising money in a most pleasant enjoyable
way. You can search by location or date on this site.
If one of the gardens has it's own web site this is shown below.
So whether it is these larger gardens listed below or a selection of smaller
ones that you find through the website.
1. Flaxbourne Farm, Aspley Guise
In the two acre garden you will see; numerous water features, a windmill, modern arches and bridges, small moated castle, lily pond, herbaceous borders, a ruined 'Greek' temple, a fernery and a crow's nest.
The garden is open on Sunday 16th May and Sunday 8th Aug (2.00-6.00). Visitors are also welcome at other times by appointment. Groups of 10+ and coaches are permitted.
2. King’s Arms, Ampthill
This woodland garden of about one and a half acres
was created by the plantsman William Nourish. Since 1987 it has been maintained
by ‘The Friends of the Garden’ on behalf of Ampthill Town Council.
Trees, shrubs, bulbs give a beautiful show in
spring after which the woodland develops throughout the year.
Generally open the last Sunday afternoon in the
month.
3.Luton Hoo
Once different parts of one estate there are now two distinct gardens administered separately.
Luton Hoo Walled GardenThe 5 acre Luton Hoo Walled Garden was designed by Capability Brown and established by Lord Bute in the late 1760s. The garden fell into decline in the 1980s but is now being restored with the help of volunteers.
They have open days and events to raise funds and awareness and an open day for NGS on Sunday 23rd May.
Visit the Luton Hoo Walled Garden website for opening times and address details.
Luton Hoo Hotel Golf and Spa Gardens
The gardens and parkland designed by Capability
Brown are of national historic significance and lie in a conservation area.
There are lakes, woodland and pleasure grounds, Victorian grass tennis court and
sunken rockery. By the house is the Italianate garden with herbaceous borders
and topiary garden.
Open as part of the NGS on Sunday 13th June.
4. Manor House Gardens, Stevington
Four and a half acres, carefully and artistically
developed the last twenty years. It has over eighteen different areas of
interest or garden rooms, distinctive but they are not necessarily separated
each with a specific identity.
Open for the NGS on the 16th June 2010, other opening times listed on web site.
Visit the Manor House Garden website for opening times and address details.
5. The Old Vicarage, Westoning, Bedfordshire
A mature traditional two acre garden on sandy soil with box and laurel hedges, formal lawn and a large magnolia grandiflora. Colour co-ordinated herbaceous beds, rose garden, pond, rockery, small vegetable garden and an annual meadow. Spring interest with hellebores and daffodils
Visitors also welcome by appointment only between April and June. Open as part of the NGS on Monday 5th April and Sunday 13th June (1.30-5.30).
6. Stockwood Park Gardens
Once part of the original
Stockwood House walled areas, the Period Gardens reflect the changing styles of
gardening in the UK.
The Discovery Gardens include
Sensory, World and Medicinal gardens, featuring areas dealing with healthy
eating and fitness, medicinal plants and herbs, a garden to stimulate our
senses, and a series of world gardens.
Visit the Stockwood Park Garden website for opening times and address details.
7. The Swiss Garden
This nine acre miniature landscape garden designed
in 1820s with winding paths, intertwining ponds, wrought iron bridges, fernery
grotto and tiny buildings. Peacocks wander around splendid trees and shrubs,
with daffodils, rhododendrons and roses in season.
Highlights: Rose Walk and High Tea 20th June But you will need to
book a ticket.
Visit the Swiss Garden website for opening times and address details.
8.Toddington Manor
A good year to visit Toddington Manor if you haven’t already as it is the
last season before the owners the Bowman Shaw’s leave the Manor.
Ten acres of gardens and twenty-five acres of woods and lakes. The gardens
have herbaceous plantings designed for style and elegance.
Visit the Toddington Manor website for opening times and address details.
9. Woburn Abbey Gardens
Twenty two acres of informal gardens, inspiration of Humphry Repton are open. The history of the garden is set out on plaques around the grounds to enjoy as you wander.
Visit the Woburn Abbey Gardens website for opening times and address details.
10. Wrest Park
Wrest Park's formal gardens provide a fascinating history of gardening styles, laid out over 150 years and inspired by the great gardens of Versailles in France. The gardens are celebrated for their rare survival of a formal early 18th-century layout of wooded walks and canals, centred on the architectural highlight of the pavilion designed by Thomas Archer in 1709-11. They feature an orangery, Italian garden and parterre.
Visit the Wrest Park website for opening times and address details.
For books on gardening places of interest you might like to check the library catalogue.
For information on Gardening clubs and Societies in Bedfordshire you can search our Local Information Database.
