Restoration work on the Long Garden began in autumn 2024 and will continue through to Spring 2025. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the conservation work in progress. The new sustainable planting scheme designed by James Scott, MD and Principal Designer of The Garden Company, will pay homage to Norah Lindsay’s original early 20th-century designs.
The project will involve significant updates, including replacing the central path with durable York stone paving, removing the old box hedging in favour of more resilient Yew hedging, replanting four central beds, and installing new, automated gates at the entrance.
Our aim for this restoration is to create a more sustainable planting scheme that pays homage to Norah Lindsay’s original early 20th-century designs. Situated along the north boundary of the estate, parallel with Bourne End Road, the Long Garden will be updated to reflect both its historic roots and modern ecological considerations.
The restoration of the Long Garden is a response to both ecological concerns and a desire to honour Norah Lindsay’s original design vision. The previous annual bedding scheme, though visually appealing, was unsustainable due to its monoculture nature, high energy and resource demands, and the need for frequent replanting.
In 2022, Cliveden began transitioning towards a more sustainable approach in the Long Garden, integrating biodiverse plantings and reducing soil disruption with a no-dig system. The new design aims to create a resilient, long-term planting scheme that reflects Norah Lindsay's influence, while also addressing today’s environmental challenges.
Approximately 13 years ago, artificial grass was laid along the central path of the Long Garden to address the issue of a muddy and unpleasant walkway for our visitors. We have now carried out a period of consultation with our appointed landscape designer, building surveyor and the local planning authority, as well as conducting accessibility surveys.
As a result, we have decided to replace the path with sawn York stone paving, which better aligns with the garden's aesthetic and with our values in taking sustainable action.
The new path will be wider, providing more space and a more comfortable walking experience for all visitors. The paving we chose will have a smooth, even surface, rather than riven options with its natural undulations, making it more welcoming and accessible for all our visitors. The sawn paving will have hand dressed edges to give a softer, more crafted & aged appearance.
Norah Lindsay, an influential garden designer of the early 1900s, was known for her bold, dynamic planting schemes that emphasized contrasts in height, texture, repetition, and thoughtful use of colour. In tribute to her vision, we decided that the new planting scheme for Cliveden’s Long Garden will embrace these elements in the four central beds.
A carefully selected array of plants will provide visual interest from spring to autumn, with attention also given to the winter months. For instance, the towering Miscanthus ‘Silberfeder,’ with its silvery flowerheads reaching over 2 meters, will create a sense of drama and immersion at the garden’s entrance, allowing other plants to be glimpsed beyond.
Aruncus dioicus will be introduced to offer striking contrast and shape, while new topiary will connect seamlessly with the surrounding formal elements. This design also considers the needs of pollinators, ensuring the garden remains vibrant and ecologically supportive year-round, while honouring Lindsay’s timeless approach to garden design. The new design will be created by James Scott, MD and Principal Designer of The Garden Company.
James Scott, a Fellow of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers (SGLD), founded The Garden Company in 1991. As MD and Principal Designer, he oversees all work produced by his team and has led the company to win multiple national awards over 30 years. His 30+ Awards include Homes and Gardens Best Small Garden, National Design and Build Awards and Design Excellence Awards. James is an Accreditor for The Society of Garden and Landscape Designers & sits on the judging panel for the SGLD & Pro Landscaper Awards. James is deeply committed to creating sustainable gardens and landscapes that celebrate nature and positively impact the environment. His passion is designing gardens and public spaces that people love to spend time in and contribute to their wellbeing.
‘It’s been a true privilege to follow in the footsteps of Norah Lindsay, a pioneering figure in garden design during the interwar years. Lindsay was known for her bold and dynamic planting schemes, and we’ve strived to honour that ethos throughout our work.'
‘The garden team and I are looking forward to the installation, watching the plants grow and having their moment throughout the seasons. The varying heights, colour and texture along with the planting combinations will be a real treat to see come to life’.
November - December 2024
The first phase of the project involves removing the artificial grass and replacing the declining Buxus hedging with dwarf Yew hedging, which is more resilient to disease.
During this time, visitors will have limited access to the Long Garden, but will still be able to view parts of the conservation work in progress.
The Long Garden was created for William Waldorf Astor in c.1896. It is Italianate in style and populated by topiary, sculpture and extensive herbaceous planting. In the mid-18th century, the Long Garden formed the northern section of the ‘Upper Gardens’ with formal areas planted with trees and shrubs.
