Rare visit to walled garden (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Rare visit to walled garden

Richard Smith shows off a Brugmansia (16476-02)VISITORS to Bowood House and gardens enjoyed a rare treat when they sampled the delights of the walled garden, opened to the public for the first time in a decade.

Lord and Lady Lansdowne, owners of the Bowood Estate, opened the garden in support the Royal Horticultural Society's Bicentenary Appeal.

More than 160 people visited, raising £500 for the appeal. It aims to celebrate 200 years of great gardening by building a £7.7 million Glasshouse and Learning Centre at Wisley in Surrey.

Lady Lansdowne chatted to visitors about the garden which covers four acres and includes an ornamental garden, glasshouses and a fruit garden.

Head gardener Simon Lawson and assistants Richard Smith and Stephen Starr, were kept busy answering questions from visitors.

Mr Lawson said: "People were very interested in the garden and many were surprised at how big it is. Quite a few said they visit Bowood regularly but had never known that the walled garden existed, and were delighted to be able to look around it.

"The roses, which are looking wonderful, were particularly popular with visitors. We spent all afternoon talking to visitors and they were very interested in our work and finding out about the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep the gardens and grounds at Bowood looking so beautiful."