The historical gardens in Burton Court has already had initial plans completed in recreating its strong Victorian and Edwardian influences that we have discovered from old photographs in the 1900s.
The first aspect of the garden recreation was in the merging of the landscaping that was created here at the same time as when Sir Clough Williams Ellis was reconstructing the East front of the house in 1912.
Therefore, the Arts and Crafts movement has been the main influence in inspiring the garden designer, Simon Dorrell, in the planting on the South front borders.
A fusion of a soft colour palate of whites, pinks, reds, lilacs and purples has been planted that is very easy on the eye. The borders are now well established and are a particular favourite for the wedding parties here during the summer months. A new border will be added by the summer of 2007 making the planting, so far, well over 5000 plants and counting!
Current gardening work is being carried out in and around the mound to the west of the house in reconstructing Victorian pathways in a woodland in amongst the archaeological dig area. This has been achieved by the recent discovery of an old tithe map showing previously hidden pathways adjoining the existing paths. These will be incorporated into the garden and will provide an informal contrast to the formal planting that is already in place.
The next phase of the gardens is to tie in with the work of the earliest dated reports of landscaping from the 17th Century when the Brewsters were in occupancy at the Court. As the Brewsters were the leading experts in herbal medicine at the time in Herefordshire, if not the country, a considerable herbal garden must have been used by the family in connection with their studies. This will become the centrepiece of the garden reconstruction to be placed in amongst the present topiary. The plans will recreate the very important links that Burton Court had in being at the forefront of apothecary at the time. This will be educational in showing how a working library and a working garden can be mutually beneficial.
We are delighted to be working alongside the garden designer, Simon Dorrell, who has achieved national recognition for Herefordshire's Hampton Court gardens and his own garden at Bryan's Ground.
For any enquiries regarding the use of the facilities of Burton Court
please contact us on
01544 388 222
or via email at info@burtoncourt.com.