Stroll in Attingham's Walled Garden

Over the past decade we've been bringing this important part of the estate back to life, and production. Originally created in the 1780s; after falling into disrepair, and having different uses in the 20th century, this Georgian kitchen garden is both beautiful and bountiful today.

From flowers in the Mansion to the produce usually being used in recipes in the Cafe and Tearoom, it now, once again supplies the estate all year round. You can even take a little bit of the Walled Garden back home with you as we sell freshly harvested produce in the Stables Shop.

A garden for all seasons

Spring

Spring is an important time of year in the garden as it’s when we start seeds off early in the glasshouses. We prepare the vegetable beds for planting and sow annual cut flowers. As the weather warms, we transplant seedlings into the main garden, constantly weeding as everything starts to grow. In Spring 2020 we had to significantly reduce the amount of vegetables we could produce due to the number of gardeners and volunteer teams able to work in the Walled Garden due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We also needed to make use of weed matting to help us try to stay on top of all of the work.

 

Summer

The main task during the summer is usually to harvest our produce to use in the cafe and shop. We need to water the salad crops in the glasshouses, as well as pruning our various fruit trees. Of course, the grass also needs constant mowing and edging. In summer 2020 our small team of gardeners are working around the clock to harvest produce but also to catch up with all the weeds that have grown since Attingham was closed due to Coronavirus and had just three members of outdoor staff for the 4,000 acre estate. Slowly our volunteers are returning and helping us to get back on top of things.

 

Autumn

September, October and November usually see the continuing harvesting of our produce for the cafe and shop. We also begin clearing the main vegetable and frameyard beds as plants die back. The orchard needs harvesting, as 37 varieties of apple require picking, pressing and juicing.

 

Winter

Towards the end of the year we start digging new beds ready for the following year. We replenish the soil in our glasshouse beds and prune the apple trees in the orchard. Pots need cleaning, labels need sorting and seeds have to be ordered as we prepare for the coming spring, and our yearly cycle starts over again.

 

The Bothy

Unfortunately the Bothy is currently closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Historically the home of the unmarried gardeners, the Bothy contians more about the Walled Garden's restoration. On cooler days you'll find a roaring fire warming this cosy space.

 

 

Take a taste of the Walled Garden home

Our seasonal fresh produce is on sale in our shop for you to enjoy at home but please be aware that in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, our gardening team was much reduced along with the amount of fruit and vegetables that we could grow. Usually the Carriage House Café is also supplied with fruit and vegetables from the Walled Garden to use in seasonal recipes– but during 2020 we have had to reduce our food offer, limiting what we can use from the garden.

Marking 10 years of restoration in the Walled Garden

Work on restoring the Walled Garden as a production garden began in 2008. Find out more about the work we've done so far, and what we're working on next.