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Garden Name: Easton Walled Gardens
Last Modified: 08/02/2010
Garden ID: 0554

pic: 0554_Easton.jpg

Owner: Ursula Cholmeley
Address:
Easton
Grantham

Postcode: NG33 5AP
County: Lincolnshire

tel: 01476 530063
fax: 
website: www.eastonwalledgardens.co.uk
email: ursiec {at} btinternet.com

Features: 
400 year-old garden undergoing revival. David Austin roses, experimental meadow plantings. Beautiful views, seasonal flower displays.
Lincolnshire Visitor attration of the year 2009

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
13th - 21st February; daily; 11am - 4pm for snowdrops
1st Mar - Oct ; Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sun & BH Mons; 11am - 4pm, Suns in Aug; 11am - 6pm
Nov; Suns only, free entry for Christmas shopping.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring
Early summer
Late Summer

To see: 
Meadows, tulips and auriculas
Sweet Pea Week and early annuals, cottage garden at its peak
Late annuals in trial beds, gunnera and greenhouses at peak

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 6th June

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Groups of 15+. Please book in advance 

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adults £5; Children £1p
Annual Season ticket for Friends of Easton Walled Gardens.

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

Other Facilities:
See own website for other events.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
The aim of the restoration at Easton is to re-discover the original garden layout, and especially the original terraces, but combine it with modern techniques and planting. In this the owner and her head gardener are being aided by commercial suppliers of roses, irises and by nurseries, all of whom are helping to enable new collections of plants to be established.

The cut flower garden was set up in 2004 and is supplemented by a Turf maze, Auricula Theatre, Velvet Border, Cottage Garden, Woodland Walk and meadow plantings. The visitor now has a rare chance to see a 'hidden garden' emerge and be recreated and modernised in new and exciting ways.


History: 
The 12 acres of gardens at Easton date back to 1592 when Sir Henry Cholmeley bought the Manor. The Manor itself, standing on a site overlooking the River Witham, remained unchanged until 1805 when Sir Montague Cholmeley altered and enlarged it. His successor then replaced much of of it with a Victorian building, including two new facades and wings and added an enormous glass orangery and conservatory on its South and West sides. Lawns to the South were full of statues, fountains and bedding schemes. Ha-ha's gave uninterrupted views of the parkland with fine trees and impressive views. You reached the parterre from the great terraces which dropped down to the river. Fine yew hedges through the gardens ended in an ornamental gate which led to a double row of ancient lime trees.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, later President of the USA, spent his honeymoon here in 1905 and described the place as "a Dream of Nirvana...almost too good to be true". Easton Hall was requisitioned at the start of World War II and suffered considerable damage. It was never used as a family house again and in 1952 was abandoned and pulled down.

Although overgrown with an impenetrable mass of sycamores, brambles and nettles, which had been untouched for 50 years, the lawns and terraces had held their shape and were waiting to be re-discovered. Work started in 2002 and is proceeding apace.

Local Inns: 
The Coachman, Corby Glen
Red Lion, Stathern
Olive Branch, Clipsham
Jackson Stops, Stretton

Accomodation: 


Restaurants: 
Red Lion, Stathern
Olive Branch, Clipsham

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Grimsthorpe Castle
Stamford