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Garden Owners,
Please copy this information and paste it into an email to:   wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com

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Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
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Garden Name: Benington Lordship
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0145

pic: 0145_Benington.jpg

Owner: Mr and Mrs C H A Bott
Address:
Benington
Stevenage

Postcode: SG2 7BS
County: Hertfordshire

tel: 01438 869 668
fax: 01438 869 622
website: www.beningtonlordship.co.uk
email: rhbott {at} beningtonlordship.co.uk

Features: 
Magnificent folly, ruined Norman castle, old and contemporary sculptures. Fantastic views over water, kitchen garden, roses, herbaceous borders. Children's animal trail, Wildlife and dragonfly pond & fish to feed.
Floral Festival: 27th/28th June; 12 - 6pm
Chilli Festival: 30th & 31st Aug Bank Holiday; Sun & Mon.; 10am - 5pm

English Heritage Grade:
II

Opening Times:
Snowdrops: 6th Feb - 28th Feb; daily; 12noon - 4pm
RHS event; 23rd Feb; 10am - 2pm
Easter - 4th Apr; 2pm - 5pm; 5th Apr; 12noon - 5pm;
Spring - 2nd/3rd May; & 30th/31st May; Mons 12noon - 5pm, Suns; 2pm - 5pm. Guided Tours 3pm. Mons 12 noon - 5pm
RHS event; 23rd June; 10am - 12noon
Floral Festival: 26th/27th June; 12 noon - 6pm
Chilli Festival: 29th/30th Aug Bank Holiday; Sun & Mon.; 10am - 5pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring & early Summer

To see: 


National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 27th June 12 noon - 6pm

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 20+ pre-booked all year @£3.50pp

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Coaches & Mini-buses welcome. 

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £4; Child under 16s £2, under 12s free; Season £10. Trail £1, Fish food £0.50
Snowdrops £4.50 on Sundays. RHS members & Children free 6th - 12th Feb. Light refreshments available.
Guided Walks - Mondays & Wednesdays at 2pm, £1pp, Maximum of 30 people

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: No
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: No
Teas: No
Refreshments: No
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: No

Other Facilities:
Catering by arrangement. Disabled access is free but limited because of steep steps and ancient fortifications. On BH weekends teas are available in village hall.


Designer: Owner's grandmother, Mrs Arthur Wells 1906.
Description of Garden:
Laid out on the site of a Norman castle overlooking Norman fishponds with views over unspoilt countryside. Near the house is a formal garden entered by a Pulham neo-Norman gate house. The old drive to the house cuts across the western outlook and leads to a completely re-designed rock/water garden with a good display of primulas in the spring. It backs onto double herbaceous borders, famous for their atmosphere and individual planting style. A wall backs the borders enclosing a kitchen garden, still productive, with raised individual beds. The garden is also famous for its display of snowdrops.


History: 
Restored by present owner's wife, grandson and grand-daughter-in-law. Previously a private 9-hole golf course, with virtually no garden. It is on the site of a Norman castle and is the only vernacular Norman stonework in Herts.

Local Inns: 
The Bell, Benington
Jolly Waggoner, Ardeley
George & Dragon, Watton-at-Stone

Accomodation: 


Restaurants: 
Rose Cottage, Ardeley

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Benington
Hertford