Photo: Konmac via Shutterstock
Englefield Estate is a treasure trove of history, architecture and nature that has recently drawn intrigue due to its recent starring role as the luxurious Coopers Chase retirement home in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’. But alas, not everywhere on the estate is open to the public. The Elizabethan house itself is a private residence, so there’ll be no snooping there, I’m afraid. But all is not lost, as the idyllic, sprawling gardens welcome visitors – and they are a certified horticultural haven.
Photo by Giles Keyte © Netflix What is the story of the gardens?
In the words of Sir Edward Norris, who lived in Englefield House in 1601, “If you help towards Englefield Garden either in flowers or invention you shall be welcome thither”. Those words have clearly been taken to heart by the estate’s many residents, who made additions such as the stone staircases and balustrades, created by Italian craftsmen in the 1860s, and the woodland garden on the hill, a result of the forest being purposefully thinned in 1936. Now, four hundred years later the gardens are undeniably well-looked-after and a popular attraction for many curious visitors with their abundance of flora, trees and perfectly manicured shrubbery.
What can you see in the gardens?
Gird your green-thumbed loins, there’s 12 acres of gardens to explore. You’ll be able to gaze up at the tangled branches of trees in the ancient deciduous woodland – where a fiery blanket of leaves crunch underfoot in the autumnal months – soak up a vibrant spectrum of colour in the flower beds and discover the recently added grotto at the top of a babbling stream, lined with a mosaic of pine cones. You can even experience a dose of Monet-reminiscent magic as you stop for a ponder on a little footbridge.
On the upper terrace you can find a children’s garden, where the little ones can play on swings and slides, or search for the hidden water jets secreted away in four of the small statues. Got a dinosaur lover on your hands? Look for the dinosaur-shaped stumpery tucked away among the camellias and rhododendrons.
You won’t be surprised to learn that the estate’s picturesque grounds are also rife with wildlife. The gardens themselves are enclosed by a deer park, where you can frequently spot herds grazing or prancing across the open fields. Birdwatchers will also want to bring their binoculars, as blue tits, goldfinches, blackcaps, wrens and even red kites have all been spotted.
When are the Englefield Gardens open?
You don’t want to just rock up any day of the week, as it is only Mondays that the gardens are open to the public. However, this does include Bank Holidays and it is every Monday throughout the year so there are a fair few chances to visit. Just make sure to check the times depending on the month you visit, as from April to October they are open 10am-6pm, but from November to March they are only open 10am-4pm.
Do I need to book?
No you don’t need to book in advance unless you are looking to arrange a group tour. Just make sure you bring £5 for the entrance fee. That is unless you are a RHS or NGS cardholder – or a child – because if that is the case you are entitled to free admission.
Find out more about visiting the gardens of Englefield Estate here.
Comments are closed.