7/29/2019 Shugborough's Walled Gardens

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From pineapples to naked scarecrows:

A fresh chapter in the history of the Walled Garden at Shugborough

The historically significant Walled Garden at Shugborough will offer visitors toStaffordshires favourite stately home an entirely new experience when the gardengate is re-opened to the public from March 22nd this year.

Redeveloped and reopened to the public eight years ago, the estates original WalledGarden marked a revolution in the way an estate produced food and cut flowers forthe House when it was created in 1805. Architect Samuel Wyatt was tasked with

designing the new Walled Garden half a mile from the Mansion House with theintention of growing fruit, vegetables and exotic plants all year round.

Famous at that time for growing pineapples, figs, melons and vines, it became one ofthe countrys first visitor attractions - with a steady flow of the great-and-the-goodcoming to see the way in which the revolutionary brick walls (hollow inside to sendhot air right around the gardens) produced a micro-climate for the more tenderplants, fruit and veg.

While the golden age of the Walled Garden may have passed, present-day visitorswill nevertheless be encouraged to spend more of their time at Shugborough,exploring the new lay-out for 2013.

Its all a long way from the days in 1809 when general labourer William Tooth wouldearn five shillings a yearfor fetching and carrying dung to the pineapple pits whichneeded plenty of fresh, steaming manure!

Instead, it has become the domain for a new army of volunteers, who have alreadybeen busy creating paths through the existing beds, planting their own raised beds,and installing a Pig Pen - for rare breed pigs - at the entrance to the Garden.

Other developments for 2013 in the Walled Garden include a collection of nakedscarecrows (which visitors will be encouraged to dress-up using the piles of nearbyclothing); a grass maze; and watering cans for youngsters to fill and help to irrigatethe gardens.

While more of the produce from the gardens will now find its way to The LadywalkTearoom, the new-look Walled Garden will also show itself to be one of the bestpicnic spots on the Shugborough Estate.

Most intriguing of all, however, will be the glimpse of a genuine Secret Gardenwhich adjoins the main Walled Garden at Shugborough. Not yet suitable for takingvisitors, this separate, walled garden is where mushrooms were grown in a maze oftunnels.

Visithttp://www.shugborough.org.uk/theshugboroughestate/WalledGarden.aspxforfurther details.

EndsFor further information, and photo-opportunities, please contact:Corinne Caddy Tel: 01889 881388 E-mail:corinne.caddy@staffordshire.gov.uk

http://www.shugborough.org.uk/theshugboroughestate/WalledGarden.aspxhttp://www.shugborough.org.uk/theshugboroughestate/WalledGarden.aspxhttp://www.shugborough.org.uk/theshugboroughestate/WalledGarden.aspxmailto:corinne.caddy@staffordshire.gov.ukmailto:corinne.caddy@staffordshire.gov.ukmailto:corinne.caddy@staffordshire.gov.ukmailto:corinne.caddy@staffordshire.gov.ukhttp://www.shugborough.org.uk/theshugboroughestate/WalledGarden.aspx