Public Places
feeding, it will be case of relevelling and reseeding ready for next spring’s onrush of visitors.
The croquet club may get a new home
I was also able to see some of the key landscape changes that previous family members had made to leave their mark on Wrest Park, including tree planting schemes, particularly by Capability Brown, who planted extensively. However, many of the trees were felled in the years running up to the Second World War and also as a result of Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s. However, those that remain offer a glimpse into a spectacular past, and it is still possible to see the fruits of Capability Brown’s labours with many large, mature trees surviving. These include larch, elm, suckers and oak, plus one very large and majestic tulip tree, thought to be amongst the biggest in the country. At the time of my visit, in late October, its leaves were turning into the most stunning bright yellow. A monument was erected on site that officially thanked Lancelot Brown for his professional assistance in the years 1758, 1759 and 1760. There is also a Giant Sequoia that was
Giant Sequoia no longer used as a Christmas tree!
once regularly used in the old house as a Christmas tree, until it got too big and was planted out in the garden! As John and I made our way back to the main house, we were able to see one of the latest projects in progress - the American Garden. Here, the team are recreating one of the original designs, a
formal yew, laurel and rhododendron plantation that was originally laid out in 1857. Closer to the house, I was able to see the ongoing work on the French and Italian parterre gardens where they are trying to establish new box hedging. Also on show was the new rose garden, hosting a new collection of roses donated by Austin Roses.
As for the formal lawns and two large
croquet lawns, these only get cut on a weekly basis, and not much else is done to them! This was evident in the fact that the croquet lawns, which are actually managed by the croquet club, were covered in moss, wormcasts and looked a sickly yellow colour. However, although the local club still enjoy playing their matches on them in the summer months, English Heritage are in the process of looking to provide them with new lawns that will be situated away from the house and closer to Silsoe village, making it more convenient for both parties. In this article, I have only scratched the surface of the work being undertaken at Wrest Park. There is still plenty to do, with the lawns in particular needing some intensive remedial work. However, under the very capable management of English Heritage, it will continue to develop into a top attraction and become one of the jewels in their ever growing portfolio. Wrest Park is certainly worth a visit.
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013 PC 83
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