Hodnet Hall Gardens

Hodnet Hall was built in neo-Elizabethan style in 1870 on a plateau high above a marshy bog.

In 1922 A.G.W. Heber-Percy started to create the superb gardens, digging a series of lakes and pools from the marshes.

These charming lakes form the backbone of the 60 acre garden and are fringed by astilbes, rogersias, skunk cabbages, candelabra primula and huge gunneras.

The terrace in front of the house has a broad walk with superb planted borders. From here wide steps edged by lavender descend to the lake.

An ornamental kitchen garden has apple, pear, cherry, greengage and peach trees trained against warm walls. Box-lined beds here have flowers and vegetables for picking.

The rich, acid-free soil is perfect for the azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias and acers that create a such a spectacular display in the grounds of Hodnet Hall.

The surrounding park has splendid beeches, oaks and limes, underplanted by bluebells and daffodils in the spring. There are woodland walks through the trees and shrubs.