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Gardener working on the garden in the woods at Knightshayes(Image: National Trust Images/Steve Sayers)
A pioneering restoration project is breathing new life into the Garden in the Woods at the National Trust’s Knightshayes Court, where gardeners are replanting rare specimens and trialling replacing degraded peat blocks with sustainable cob.
The Garden in the Wood is one of only two botanical gardens in the world to be laid out in such a woodland setting.
Originally created by Sir John Heathcoat-Amory and Joyce Lady Amory after the Second World War, the garden was designed to showcase rare and unusual plants cultivated at Knightshayes.
Path leading to the garden in the woods at Knightshayes National Trust Images_SteveSayers
A dedicated team led by Senior Gardener John Ridgeley is restoring the garden using traditional techniques with a modern, eco-conscious twist.
“The idea was to raise the beds up so that the interesting specimen plants they had were shown off in a nice area, with nice shrubs and rhododendrons around sheltering them,” says John. “It’s like a display case.”
Between January and June 2025, the team focused on extensive planting along the newly developed ‘Church Path’. The nursery area has been revitalised with new cold frames for seed sowing, while a powered water bowser and trailer have supported irrigation and mulching during dry spells.
A dedicated team of volunteers has also been instrumental in the project’s progress.
“When we started a year ago, we didn’t have any volunteers specifically for this project but since then we’ve set up a team of eight regulars,” says John. “They’re so hardworking and they just want to learn.
“This is a tailor-made opportunity for someone who wants to learn about plants, especially with the amount of interesting and unusual planting that we’re putting back in. It’s not just weeding, it’s planting and maintaining and watering and feeding and mulching and pruning, all sorts of stuff.”
Work has also been undertaken by a volunteer group from Exeter University, who have cleared large areas of ivy, Lamium, and wood sedge ready for replanting this autumn.
The most complex challenge has been replacing the original peat blocks used to raise the terraced beds. Peat, once a common gardening material, is now recognised as environmentally damaging due to its role in carbon storage and biodiversity.
Gardener working on the garden in the woods at Knightshayes National Trust Images_SteveSayers
After extensive research, the team chose cob blocks—made from straw, clay, and water—as a sustainable alternative.
“Cob blocks are more traditionally utilised in vegetable gardening,” says Head Gardener Will Woodman. “Only us and a few other gardeners use them for terracing, so it’s super bespoke. We need something that’s going to last.”
“We’re rolling on with it,” John continues. “It’s great to have an experiment and work out what works best and then be able to share that knowledge for anyone else doing something similar.”
The first cob blocks have now been installed, and their performance will be monitored over the coming months. The team will continue watering, mulching, and updating plant records as the restoration progresses.
“I’m working on my favourite part of my favourite garden,” says John. “And I’ve gardened a few and I’ve visited a lot, so I’m allowed to say that! I’m loving it.”
This project supports the National Trust’s 10-year strategy People and Nature Thriving, which aims to restore nature, end unequal access to beauty and history, and inspire people to care for special places.
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