Benington Lordship, Stevenage, England

Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.

Brief description of site

The early 20th-century gardens of Benington Lordship occupy about three hectares around the house, with adjacent parkland of 27 hectares. The gardens include the remains of a Norman castle and moat. There is a rose garden, sunken garden, snowdrop walk and kitchen garden. The 19th-century Norman-style gatehouse and the summerhouse are made of Pulhamite (a type of artificial stone).

Brief history of site

In about 1700 the Caesar family of Benington Place built Benington Lordship on the site of an Elizabethan farmhouse, adjacent to the castle ruins. Around 1832, the then-owner George Proctor commissioned a neo-Norman gatehouse, summerhouse and curtain wall to connect them, which together are known as The Folly. In 1905 Arthur Bott, a Staffordshire engineer, bought the Lordship upon his return from working in India. Mr Bott and his wife Lilian enlarged the house and garden, taking in areas of the park, and built a new kitchen garden adjacent to the stables.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	166	Grid Ref:	TL294235
Latitude:	51.89503	Longitude:	-0.1208684

Key information:

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