The garden at Berrington Hall

Walled garden

The main walled garden and very rare curved walled garden are hugely significant at Berrington.

Together, they form a unique set-piece by 'Capability' Brown, considered England's greatest gardener and a prolific 18th-century landscape architect.

The walled garden also contains an orchard, flower borders and large vegetable beds for supplying the tea-room.

The walled garden is surrounded by the original Edwardian garden to the south, the woodland garden to the north-west and the original laundry-drying area to the west. 

Relax and enjoy the view

There are plenty of benches around the mansion that look out onto the Herefordshire countryside, as well as picnic benches in the walled garden, so pack a lunch and choose your spot.   

The walled garden was originally the kitchen garden for the household, but like many others fell out of regular use during the Second World War.

The Curve

The curved walled garden feature is the only one of its kind to survive the centuries almost entirely intact. Since the National Trust began caring for it in May 2019, and with help from supporters and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Culture Recovery Fund, it's been possible to complete the urgent restoration work needed to save it.

As part of this process, the livestock buildings were removed, unveiling the extent of the former produce garden space. The removal of the farm buildings and lean-tos from the Curve has left us with a blank canvas, meaning that we can revisit and explore future possibilities for the space.

The Pleasure Grounds 

The Pleasure Grounds that surround the mansion are all part of 'Capability' Brown's designs. The Pleasure Grounds were designed for social strolls, tea parties and a place to relax in, something that is encouraged today.

In the warmer months you can play a game of croquet or cricket on the front lawn, or take in the surrounding Herefordshire countryside as you enjoy a picnic. In the colder months, take a stroll around the pleasure grounds with a takeaway hot chocolate from the tearoom.

The orchard 

Herefordshire is famous for its orchards, so where the historic orchards would have been 19th-century varieties of apples that have fallen out of modern cultivation have been replanted.

By reinstating heritage varieties that offer renewed historical interest, it also offers a source of future plant breeding.

Ancient varieties

With only one or two exceptions, all the varieties looked after at Berrington were introduced before 1900, some of them being several hundred years old.

There are around 100 trees within the orchard, with approximately 50 varieties, including Ten Commandments and Doctor Hare's.

The Edwardian Garden 

All that is left of the Edwardian Garden is the fountain and avenue of golden yews, which are now clipped into spheres.

The 3rd Lord Cawley planted many of the flowering trees and shrubs in this area and along the drive. 

Among the old woodland to the north east of the house is a large collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, some hybridised by the 3rd Lord, which are seen at their best in May.  

The Garden Project

The pleasure grounds, walled garden, and curved walled garden all form part of Capability Brown's final landscape. The Garden Project began in 2016 with archaeological research improving our understanding of the gardens and their original designs, outlinging the rarity and significance of this garden treasure.

The Garden project aims to restore, revive and reimagine these spaces for our visitors, creating new outdoor experiences that coincide with the rich heritage of Berrington's garden and landscape.