Visit to Packington Hall Gardens

We are delighted to announce a late Summer visit to Packington Hall. Lady Guernsey has kindly invited WGT members and their guests to enjoy the Packington gardens and landscape which are exceptionally beautiful in September.  A guided tour of the gardens and landscape features will be followed by afternoon cakes, tea and coffee. 

The classical, grade II* 18th century house and its estate are set within a pastoral Lancelot Capability Brown landscape near the village of Meriden, Warwickshire.  At first a medieval manor belonging to Kenilworth Priory, after the Dissolution it was purchased by John Fisher, steward to Ambrose Dudley, later Earl of Warwick.  Enhancements were made to the house and gardens by subsequent owners until Sir Clement Fisher in 1693 built a new house the remains of which were remodelled into the present Palladian-style building, constructed1766-1772 by the architect Matthew Brettingham for the 3rd Earl of Aylesford. Many interiors, including the sumptuous Pompeian Room, which originally displayed Etruscan vases collected by the 4th Earl of Aylesford, were designed by Joseph Bonomi from 1782.  Bonomi also designed St. James’ Church which is situated within Packington’s grounds.

The Pleasure Grounds surrounding Packington Hall conceived by Capability Brown were one of his earliest designs. He visited Packington in 1750 and in 1751 submitted plans for a new lake, Hall Pool, to be created from earlier fishponds; a remodelled Great Pool; elevations for proposed gates, lodge, triple-arched bridge and grotto (not all were built); and surrounding planting.  The serpentine Hall Pool and Cedars of Lebanon still survive, with a Japanese bridge added in 1762 and specimens of Sequoia Gigantea in the mid-19th century. More recent additions to the gardens includea Millennium Rose Garden planted with old-fashioned roses, and the Terrace Borders where late spring rhododendrons and azaleas give way in summer to perennials and grasses. At the far end of the Pleasure Grounds a winding path through a wildflower meadow leads down to the water’s edge.  Lastly in the new restored Walled Garden (begun 2020) espaliered fruit trees and a small orchard thrive alongside water, grasses and wildflowers, which are also home to chickens, wildlife, seasonal vegetables, soft fruit and cut flowers.

Directions to Packington Hall CV7 7HE
Entrance 400 yds from Stonebridge roundabout towards Coventry. For SatNav please use CV7 7HE or What3words app - dreamers.mandolin.portfolio.

Date: Wednesday 11th September 2024

Time: Meet in front of Packington Hall at 2.30 pm.

Cost: £8.50 for members, £9.50 for non-members

Organiser: Diane James

Email: topazlily65@gmail.com

Venue: Packington Hall