The Berrington Garden Project

Project
A birds eye view of the new design layout of the walled garden

Berrington Hall is a set piece of 'Capability' Brown design. Recent research into the walled gardens and pleasure grounds has revealed the rarity and significance of this part of the grounds.

A particularly significant part of the garden is the curved walled garden built in 1783 to ‘Capability’ Brown’s original design. This curved garden was previously used as a livestock holding facility by the tenant farmer.

While the garden project is on pause for now, we are embarking on urgent conservation work in the curved garden from 28 October thanks to the DCMS Culture Recovery Fund. Read the updates below to find out more. 

This is a visual of how the garden could look if the project is successful
A wide shot of Berrington walled garden with the new style and layout
This is a visual of how the garden could look if the project is successful

We have been combining findings from reports such as the recent 2017 Wessex Archaeology report with other findings, such as the James Crummer papers from the Hergest Croft Archive. All of this information is giving us an idea of how 'Capability' Brown intended Berrington to look.

This project update is designed to keep you informed and up to date with the latest developments, progress and occasional discoveries associated with this project.

The top of 'Look! Look! Look!' with some bullrushes in the corner Play Video

Latest updates

16 Nov 20

Repair work and conservation of curved garden walls

From 16 November until mid-March 2021, we're beginning 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. This urgent conservation work will preserve the original eighteenth century bricks and conserve this historically significant garden for the local community and future generations. 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.

28 Oct 20

Sensitive deconstruction of former farmyard buildings

From Wednesday 28 October, work will begin 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.

01 Jan 20

Planning begins for the design of the flower garden

We’re currently in the process of drawing up detailed designs for the flower garden and laurel walk, which is the area near the fountain around the yew bush path. Following the conservation management plan, we aim to open up the view from the stables down to the Triumphal Arch, continue the wisteria walkway, design flower beds and supports, make path improvements to realign the path network and revive the eighteenth century vision of Berrington Hall, and incorporate the yew balls into the planting scheme to create an enclosure of the flower garden.

A view of Berrington Hall from the garden with yew bushes shaped into balls
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