THE Bowood Estate has opened its walled garden to the public for the first time in its 270-year history.
The estate, which has been owned by the Lansdowne family for over 250 years, is marking 50 years since its house and grounds were opened to the public.
The walled garden, which has remained private to the estate's owners for centuries, offers a glimpse into the rich history and ongoing legacy of the estate. The garden is part of the estate's efforts to boost its credentials as a space for sustainability.
The Bowood Estate is famous for being the place where Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1774. Today, the Grade I listed house and gardens boast a golf course, hotel, spa and adventure playground - welcoming over 120,000 visitors a year.
In 2022, Lord Lansdowne’s son Simon, Earl of Kerry, moved into Bowood with his family and took over as Chief Executive and 11th generation custodian of Bowood in January last year.
Lord Kerry explained: "The Walled Garden has always been an integral part of the estate. Originally producing food and cut flowers for the house, it now supplies Bowood Hotel and other catering outlets.
"Before now, only visitors from our private garden tours saw behind the walls of this stunning place. I’m pleased that we can mark the 50th anniversary of Bowood’s opening by sharing this space with visitors, offering a new glimpse into Bowood’s rich history and ongoing legacy. Our vision is to bring nature, heritage, and culture to everyone."
The estate has also introduced a new sensory garden, designed for school groups, families, and garden enthusiasts.
The garden's head gardener, David Glass said: "Opening the Walled Garden to the public is a proud moment for everyone involved. I hope that visitors are inspired by the colour schemes and the cutting garden on display. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only the garden’s beauty, but also the estate’s evolving role as a space for education with a focus on sustainability."
To mark the anniversary, the estate's adventure playground has been updated with a new 30m zip wire and giant dragon swing. The work was completed by the playground's original builders.
The Bowood Estate reopened on 1st April and will be open until November.
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