Visit to Holywell Hall Park

The gardens: Holywell Hall park and gardens (of about 36 ha) were laid out in the 1760s within a shallow, secluded valley in a landscape style, complementing the Grade II* house. Horticultural records for the estate cover about 70 years from 1760 and include maps and lists of plants acquired. The HE listing describes the key elements of the site: a sinuous drive winding through the parkland interspersed with specimen trees, the serpentine lakes, the walled garden, and elegant stone garden buildings in the neo-Classical style. The garden buildings include a fishing temple and an orangery. A ‘holy well’ still exists, adjacent to St Wilfred’s church, close to the lakes. There are extensive ornamental gardens near the house and within the substantial walled garden there is planting in a contemporary style, with a cascading water feature, a kitchen garden and 19C glasshouses, holding an impressive range of citruses and tender plants. New elements by subsequent owners have enhanced both the formal design and planting near the house, with new features such as a Japanese-inspired garden, wildflower meadows and Spring planting on the islands in the lakes, and many new trees.

Time: meet at 2:00pm.

Logistics: Holywell Hall is six miles north of Stamford and about 15 minutes’ drive from the A1. Entrance is via the main gates, along the driveway and up to the house where you will be directed to a parking area. See what3words for location information and map directions can be found here.

We are very fortunate to have an introductory talk by Steffie Shields, vice-Chairman of Lincolnshire Gardens Trust, who specialises in 18C landscape design. Holywell’s Head Gardener will also be on hand to talk about the garden today, then visitors are encouraged to explore the gardens and park with its range of historic garden buildings. Our visit will end with afternoon tea which will be served from 4.00pm – on the terrace if the weather is good, otherwise under cover.

If you want to combine a morning visit to make a whole day out, then Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue is only 10 minutes’ drive away and is free to visit. The Avenue of 150 clipped yew trees was first created 200 years ago and extends for 500 yards, lining the drive to the Grade II* Clipsham Hall. From 1870 the trees were topiarised into shapes depicting animals, birds, and contemporary events. The site is leased to the Forestry Commission but there have been insufficient funds to maintain the avenue and from 2018 its restoration has been undertaken by the Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust; the first re-clipping of the trees took place in 2019. The Trust also funds new picnic benches and generally maintains the site for future generations. https://yewtreeavenue.co.uk/history/

Bookings: £18 for members of CGT and the Plant Heritage Group, £20 for guests, by BACS transfer to our new bank account in the name of Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust (sort code 30-99-50, account number 80635768) using ‘Holywell’ and your name as reference; please confirm payment by email to admin. Cheques, payable to Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust, may be sent to Judith Christie, Teal Cottage, Fen Drayton CB24 4SH. Booking has now closed.

We look forward to seeing you there!