The parkland at Berrington Hall

Swans on the lake — Swans live on the 'Capability' Brown designed lake | © NT

Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was the most important landscape architect of the 18th century, designing around 170 parks throughout the country. Berrington was the culmination of his life's work, so on your visit to the parkland, you’ll experience his vision through the views, water features and trails through the acres of countryside.

Paths closed for lambing

Some of the paths through the parkland will be closed during the lambing season. Please stick to the open paths and do not climb over any gates that have been locked. Thank you for your understanding.

Spring in the parkland

While snowdrops tend to mark the end of winter for most places, one of the earliest signs of spring at Berrington is when the herons return to the lake in February. The unexpectedly sociable birds nest in large numbers on Berrington’s island heronry, which is one of the largest nest sites in the west midlands. They can be found there until the end of the season, but become more difficult to spot as leaves shoot on trees.

As the days get longer and temperatures start to climb, frogs emerge from hibernation and make their way to the pool. You can often hear the loud croaking calls of the males, and can spot large rafts of frog spawn the pool’s margins.

Within the parkland's orchards, cherry trees are first to blossom, later followed by the apple trees. These attract our early pollinators, acting as an essential food source for bees and other insects. Hedgerows come to life in the spring, with hawthorn being the first to shoot bright green leaves and blackthorn coming into blossom.

Spring brings and abundance of colour into the woodlands at Berrington. Snowdrops, wood anemones, wood sorrel, celandine, and dog violets all sprout from the woodland floor, with the hanging catkins of the hazel trees providing an excellent food source for insects and small bird species.

a heron in flight with its wings spread out — Berrington's pool is home to one of the largest heronries in the West Midlands | © A R TERRY ARPS

A major project

Brown was appointed by Thomas Harley in the 1770s to lay out a park and make the most of the spectacular Herefordshire views west towards Wales and the Black Mountains.

Brown's classic device of divided views can clearly be seen from the steps of the house; to the north-west to the hill of Croft Ambrey, to the west into Wales and finally to the south-west where he built a 14-acre lake complete with island.

Haven for wildlife

The lake is now a haven for wildlife including many breeds of waterfowl, fish and insects. In addition, the lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the herons which nest on the island during spring each year.

Otters

More secretive than usual visitors, these shy creatures have made Berrington their home. They have been captured by our 'otter cam', usually being caught at night.

Otters breed throughout the year and having young makes these normally nocturnal, shy and elusive creatures more visible. No young otters have been spotted recently.

Visitors in the grounds of Berrington Hall, Herefordshire — Visitors in the grounds of Berrington Hall | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Walking at Berrington

There are two way-marked trails through the parkland, so you can explore every corner of the estate with notes explaining Brown's original vision along the way. Choose from the Lakeside Walk or Parkland Walk, or even a mixture of the two and take in the scenery, sights and sounds of the Herefordshire countryside.

Please be aware that the Berrington estate falls under a historic tenancy to the Cawley family who graze their livestock here.