|
During 2009 the gardens have undergone a wonderful transformation. Hedingham was approached by Red House TV on behalf of Channel 4, to begin the restoration and feature in a programme called ‘The Landscape Man’, due to be aired in spring 2010. For many years the priorities have been to restore the house and castle and so with little budget available, we tried obtain sponsorship and see what could be achieved in the time available. The final results have been phenomenal, far exceeding our wildest expectations.
Unusually the design concepts were born out of the sponsorship available! Hedingham is extremely grateful to all our sponsors, especially considering the difficult economic climate.
Case New Holland working with Ernest Doe provided us with diggers and tractors and trailers to restore the bog pond and dredge the Norman fish pond to create a huge reflecting pool.
Enviromesh and Caras Uk then designed and laid the gabion cages for the edge of this pool, filled with 140 tonnes of flints, which is sadly invisible now as it is an exquisitely executed engineering project.
CED Stone provided all the granite edging, creating the reflecting pool sides and a stunning cascade, as well providing the four beautiful granite flights of steps for the lake lawn and a hardwearing elegant path was created by an ingenious new gravel path system called cedagravel®.
Tolleshunt Turf provided their best quality turf for the redesigned lake lawn. Cranborne Stone gave us the fountain pool and urns, providing a very dignified setting for the mansion house.
British Seed Houses gave acres of grass seed, to repair the mess left by the diggers, and provide glorious wild flower beds up the drive and around the lake.
John Woods Nurseries have given several thousand plants and will use us to grow their new cultivars showing off many unusual specimens.
Langthorns Plantery also have given us hedging, plants and much expert horticultural advice.
Oakview Landscapes Team who planted many plants in a 3 day marathon. Without them we would still be planting!
Eastwood Trees have helped us fell many large self seeded sycamores and much jungle. Bulmer bricks have made tiles to smarten up edges of the flower beds by the front door.
The Country Houses Foundation large grant for the restoration of the 18th century Dovecote and parts of the stable blocks.
Framlingham Fisheries created a healthy environment for the fish and manage the fish stocks.
Simon Pyle, of the English Gardening School, who suggested this garden as a candidate for the TV and helped with the design.
Matthew Wilson as presenter provided great advice and knowledge.
Mrs Virginia Lindsay has helped with endless ideas.
English Heritage and Braintree District Council for their enthusiasm and support.
Cath Hayward who organized the planting stage management and has since become our Head Gardener.
With this extraordinary support, this historic and important Castle and exquisite landscape have been restored not only to their former glory but have been beautifully enhanced. Hedingham Castle looks like it has had a face lift and it will be an extremely exciting garden to visit today and in the future.
Look out for the famous Snowdrop Sundays in February when the valley walk is blanketed in many varieties of snowdrop and the new Rhodedendron and Camellia walks in April and May.
|
