Gardens to Visit 2008

www.gardenstovisit.net                   www.gardenstovisit.org 

Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle is England’s oldest inhabited castle and most historic home. Over 24 generations of Berkeley’s have transformed a savage Norman fortress into a stately home full of treasures. Successive generations softened the stern aspect of the Castle walls with flowers, until finally the present planting of the terraces was carried out with the help of Gertrude Jekyll at the turn of the last century. The gardens specialise in scent and the roses are a delight in June. Rare plants, shrubs and trees are to be enjoyed and a butterfly house.

From the Lily Pond, first built as a swimming pool during the time of the last Earl, sweeping curved steps lead down to the Great Lawn on which the two remaining Culloden pines stand, said to have been brought back as pine cones from the Battle of Culloden by the 4th Earl of Berkeley. 

Gloucestershire