Secret Gardens of Herefordshire
Your guide to the most beautiful gardens to visit in Herefordshire….
Back in May we had the pleasure of exploring many different public gardens in Herefordshire to find a location for our promotional trailer for The Secret Garden. As we come to the end of our show run we thought it would be nice put together a short guide to some of our favourites (among many others!) that you can visit, explore, and enjoy!
The Laskett Gardens
The beautiful gardens where we filmed our trailer for The Secret Garden!
“As Sir Roy has always said, a garden is an ever-evolving creation – like a painting that is never finished. From the bare field of forty plus years ago to what can be seen today – like the man himself – The Laskett never stands still for long. Recent additions to the gardens include two very fine, specially commissioned mosaics by Olicana Mosaics and the magnificent Belvedere from which the whole extent of the gardens can be viewed on high. Whether you have visited the gardens before or this is to be your first time, there is much to see and inspire.”
Hergest Croft Gardens
“The Hergest Estate extends to over 405 ha (1,000 acres) and runs along the river Arrow valley southward to Hergest Court, up to Hergest Ridge and along the Back Brook valley to the north. Hergest Croft Gardens has a light loam soil overlaying broken shaley rock and a neutral ph. The annual rainfall is just over 102mm (40 inches). The weather is temperate with warm winters and cool summers. The elevation ranges from 185–275m (600 to 900 feet). There is excellent shelter from the north and west. Good air drainage makes damaging late April frosts rare.”
Croft Castle
“Situated on the English-Welsh border, Croft is a quiet, ancient place steeped in British history and politics with a picturesque castle and medieval parkland re-fashioned during the 18th century.
Surrounded by 1,500 acres of woods, park and farmland. Take a way marked walk to discover an abundance of nature at this special place.
The two acre walled garden is a wildlife haven, attracting butterflies, bees, birds and insects. It is the perfect place to enjoy the changing seasons, with daffodils and blossom in spring, roses and wisteria in summer and apples in autumn.”
Hampton Court Castle
“Described as ‘Possibly the most ambitious private garden of our time…’ by Country Living Gardens Editor Stephanie Donaldson, Hampton Court Castle offers several acres of wide-ranging gardens set against the panoramic backdrop of the Herefordshire countryside.
Situated near Leominster, this Castle predates Hampton Court Palace by almost a 100 years, and over this period, the different owners have all left their mark on the spectacular Castle and grounds. This fascinating history can be seen today when visiting.”
Hellens Manor
“Set in the rural landscape of Herefordshire Hellens is a much-loved Tudor/Jacobean home with an incredible tapestry of stories, characters, art, furniture, grounds and gardens. Open for guided tours from April to October along with our vintage tearoom, Hellens is also a venue for educational and cultural events all year round.”
Berrington Hall
“Standing proud and strong, this fine Georgian mansion sits within ‘Capability’ Brown’s final garden and landscape. In the house, discover jewel-like interiors, designed by Henry Holland and home to the Harley, Rodney and Cawley families.
There are plenty of walks through the parkland through woodlands, wildflower meadows and around Berrington’s pool, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The gardens are a treat for all the senses throughout the year, with bluebells and blossom in Spring, roses in summer and apples in autumn.”
These are just a few of our favourite gardens in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside, but we are very lucky to have a large selection right on our doorstep!
There are still tickets remaining for the final few performances of The Secret Garden, come and join us for an enchanting adaptation of the beloved novel.