Hestercombe

The restoration of the formal garden at Hestercombe in Somerset that began in the 1970s was the first attempt to restore a historic garden authentically ever undertaken by a local authority.

'The Restoration of the Formal Garden at Hestercombe 1973 to 1980' is a case study that explores how this pioneering work was carried out.

Part 1 Introduction. An Edwardian Garden. In the hands of the Fire Service. Discovery of the original Jekyll plans. A restoration is proposed. The team.

Part 2 The condition of the gardens. Restoring the hard landscaping. Restoring the rills. Restoring the planting. Existing planting. Interpreting Jekyll's plans.

Part 3 Timescales. Plant availability. The Grey Walk. Keeping maintenance down. Recognition. The planting progresses. The Great Plat. Planting the rills.

Part 4 Missing plans. Maintaining the garden. Costs. A garden brought back to life. References and sources. Further information.

Hestercombe virtual archives contain digitised copies of plans and documents used during the restoration work of the Formal Garden: Planting methodology, Grey Walk plant list, East Rill plant list, West Rill plant list, and Plan of Formal Garden. For copies of the original Jekyll planting plans and the 1970s restoration plans, see Part 3 of the article on the restoration of Hestercombe.

Method of restoration of borders for Hestercombe Gardens is a transcript of the 1975 methodology used by the team during the restoration work.

'Bill Mount: the right man in the right place' profiles  one of the people who was involved in the 1970s restoration work at Hestercombe. The article includes mention of other early garden restoration projects and the start of County Gardens Trusts. 

Hestercombe Formal Garden in the Resource Area contains photographs before, during and after restoration work.

Index