The Gardens at Hampton Court

The Gardens at Hampton Court Herefordshire, recently completed, are one of the most ambitious garden creations of our time.

Original Victorian garden walls enclose stunning new flower gardens divided by canals, island pavilions and pleached avenues. The kitchen garden is an ornamental garden of fruit and vegetables. It is managed organically, supplying produce to the Orangery Restaurant for its seasonal menu.

There is a maze of a thousand yews with a gothic tower at its centre. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the gardens or descend underground to a tunnel that leads to a waterfall in the sunken garden. Beautiful herbaceous borders stretch out from a one hundred and fifty year old wisteria tunnel that leads to vast lawns and ancient trees beside the castle. Beyond the lawns are riverside and woodland walks.

Adjoining the castle, in a grand conservatory designed by Joseph Paxton, is the Orangery Café. Here delicious lunches and teas can be enjoyed.

The garden shop, in the garden bothy, sells plants from the garden, homemade produce from the castle kitchens and local crafts and gifts.

From the Roots... our monthly update of what's going on in the gardens - July 2011 Due to the dry weather some plants have dragged their feet while others in the Kitchen Garden are certainly on their way. The French beans have at last made a move. Broadbeans are being picked for the shop The Sweet Peas soft fragrance drifts across the garden, and they too can be taken home, small bunches are available to buy in our gift shop as are small Lavender bouquets. The Lavender was harvested from the splendid display as you walk through the Archway in the Kitchen Garden. Keep an eye out for the rarely seen Five Spotted Burnet Moth which has been spotted daily in the Orchards meadow. The gardeners are continuing to cut the box hedging and remove the box blight which has taken parts of the hedge in the Dutch Garden. Removing it has paved the way for the young shoots to spring back. During July the Herbaceous border is looking fantastic the soft yellows contrasting with the poison blue of the Aconitums is stunning. The poppies throughout the garden are starting to go over leaving behind the interesting seed heads. Soon the finches and other small birds will be clinging to them, rustling in the borders to get at all the seeds.