01 Jun 2016
Glorious Gardens at the Treasure Houses of England

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Treasure Houses of England

 

The Treasure Houses of England feature some of the most beautiful Formal Gardens and Parkland in England. From Flower Festivals to Victorian Gardeners and Living History, there is much for garden-lovers to enjoy this summer.

Please find our top 10 things to do in their glorious gardens this summer.

Beaulieu has a Topiary Display running throughout 2016. Based on Lewis Carroll's endearing children's book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, written in 1865, this topiary display is based on a 'mad' tea party in Wonderland. This summer see the organic Kitchen Garden where produce for the Palace House kitchen and the on-site restaurant is grown. The Kitchen Garden was re-established in 2003 on the site of the original 1872 Palace House Kitchen Garden. The new design, marked out by shingle paths, mirrors major features in the adjacent Victorians' Garden and includes a pond with a bonze water feature with leaves sculpted from plants in the garden, an archway of apple and pear trees and hedges of yew and purple beech which frame the garden.

The ever-popular Blenheim Palace Flower show will return for its fourth year, 17-19 June. This wonderful three-day show celebrates the very best of gardening in the UK and is packed with inspiration and colour.  The shopping village will feature an abundance of trade stands selling everything from unique garden gazebos, greenhouses and arbours to beautiful flowers, gardening sundries and hundreds of other products from over 250 of the UK's leading exhibitors. Visitors can also explore the beautiful Formal Gardens and 'Capability' Brown Parkland.

Burghley's Flower Festival will transform the magnificent State Rooms with beautiful floral displays created by local flower societies from 1 – 9 October. Offering a new perspective on England's greatest Elizabethan House each room will inspire floral arrangements with societies taking their inspiration from the Royal Households of Europe in celebration of the Queens 90th birthday, in addition to the painted ceilings and 17th Century art.  2016 will also see the return of the Leicestershire Society of Botanical Illustrators who artworks will be displayed in the Great Hall.

Admire Castle Howard's sumptuous interiors brought to life with colourful floral displays; from traditional to contemporary, understated to ornate, during its flower festival from 23 -26 June . Soak up the garden party atmosphere in the Boar Garden with live music, strawberries & Pimms, join a guided garden tour or explore the 1,000 acres of parkland and gardens at your own pace with the borders a riot of colour and perfume. Browse the plant market and garden centre for a great range of plants, shrubs and gifts. 

Enjoy Florabundance at Chatsworth from 24 - 28 June. The house will be transformed for the flower festival as renowned floral designer Jonathan Moseley and the Chatsworth Garden team showcase displays featuring British flowers celebrating the tercentenary of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

Discover the Art of Landscape at Harewood until 30 November. “Capability” Brown's work made him the best-known landscape designer in English history. The Art of Landscape will show works from great masters who have engaged intimately with the vistas at Harewood. Watercolours of Harewood, produced in the late eighteenth century by celebrated artists including JMW Turner, Cotman, and Girtin will be displayed alongside photographs by pioneering Victorian photographer Roger Fenton, who captured the Brownian views in 1860. A contemporary response by Simon Warner will take you through the landscape in a new film titled “North and South”. The Art of Landscape presents a full and fresh assessment of the cultural influence of the “Capability” Brown design at Harewood and invites you to explore the innovations made by artists across the centauries.

The garden at Hatfield House dates from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder. Enjoy the Sundial Garden, West Parterre and Old Palace Garden adjoining the Tudor Palace. From 4 - 5 June the Garden Show takes place on the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field, with plenty of exhibitors selling plants, scrubs and gardening tools. Throughout the day there are gardening talks and floral displays and demonstrations.

Join one of the spring tours of the private gardens at Holkham Hall on 29 May. See the spectacular arboretum including the Tulip Tree which is resplendent during the spring and stroll around the 19th century formal parterres designed by W.A. Nesfield. Gardeners will also love the Plant Fair in the 18th Century walled garden on 24 - 25 September. There will be talks by the Holkham gardeners and the opportunity to stock up on plants and other gardening essentials from regional nurseries.

Celebrate the Chelsea Fringe at Leeds Castle, from 21 May – 12 June with alternate floral displays. Plus enjoy the Festival of Flowers from 24 – 28 September when the Castle is transformed by award winning floral designers and budding florists under the guidance of the Castle Florists. Take part in floral workshops, talks and demonstrations throughout the event.

Don't miss the Garden Show, 25 – 26 June, which is set against the stunning backdrop of Woburn Abbey. 'The Gardener's Garden Show' offers visitors the best location of any show in the UK, taking place within the 28 acres of Woburn Abbey Gardens. Whether you're a keen horticulturalist or you're looking for inspiration for your family garden, all are welcome. This year demonstrations, talks and Q and A sessions will be presented by Pippa Greenwood, a regular writer and blogger for BBC Gardeners World Magazine, Martin Fish, Garden Writer and BBC Broadcaster, RHS Plant Advisory Committees and Floral Experts from Fleurette in Bedford.

ENDS

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548