This stunning five-acre octagonal walled garden at the heart of the Luton Hoo Estate was designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the late 1760s for John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute. Bute was a friend and briefly Prime Minister to George 3rd and a noted botanist. Over the intervening centuries the garden evolved and reflected the changing horticultural fashions of the day but fell into decline in the late 20th century, before the Walled Garden Volunteer Project was set up, to halt the neglect. Since 2001 teams of volunteer gardeners and researchers have revitalised the garden, repaired and conserved a range of glass houses and service buildings and discovered the rich history of the garden.
 
The visit will start at 10.30.am when we meet our guide at the walled garden. We will hear a short talk, giving us an overview of the garden’s history and then we will see the many changes made since the project started and the latest conservation work that has been carried out. After the tour, at about 12 noon, the Woodyard Coffee Shop will be open for anyone who would like to purchase light refreshments.
Directions:
Please note: there is no access from Luton Hoo Hotel entrance, use postcode LU1 4LF.

Richard Haydon will be handling the bookings so please can you register your interest with him via zoomevents@hertsgardenstrust.co.uk and he will send you details of how to pay.