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County Indexes Herefordshire Gardens Hampton Court
County Indexes Herefordshire Gardens Hampton Court 
Hampton Court |
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 Hampton Court was founded in 1430 as a reward for a knight’s bravery at Agincourt. The castle and gardens have been remodelled several times during their long history, each generation adding new features according to the fashions of the day. In the 18th Century Lord Coningsby created elaborate formal gardens, reflecting his high status and great wealth. In the 19th Century these gardens were swept away and a parkland established. The Victorian Arkwright dynasty added rose gardens and naturalistic femery. Country Life documented the Edwardian gardens, showing fashionable herbaceous borders and the developing Wisteria Tunnel. The estate declined after WWII until its sale in 1994 to the Van Kampen family, when a massive programme of building restoration was begun. Attention turned to the gardens in 1996 and designers Simon Dorrell, and David Wheeler were chosen to provide an appropriately elaborate setting for the newly restored castle. Today, water canals, island pavilions, avenues and borders complement the established planting of the earlier eras. The Gardens are a peaceful haven but also a place of exploration with a maze, Gothic Tower and secret tunnel to a waterfall. The Ornamental Kitchen Garden is both beautiful and productive and visitors can sample its delicious organic produce in the Orangery Restaurant, or enjoy a picnic on the lawn.  Telephone 01568 797 777
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How Stean Gorge How Stean is a spectacular limestone gorge, situated in an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, in the very heart of Nidderdale among lush green pastures. Known as 'Yorkshire's Little Switzerland' to the Victorians, the Gorge is crossed by narrow bridges between the rocky paths that lead down and across the rock face. The scenery is breathtaking, and the beck that runs through the Gorge can be anything from a gentle stream to a raging gushing torrent - depending on the rainfall and time of year. |
