Melbourne Hall

Melbourne Hall Gardens with its broad sweeps of lawn, avenues and unexpected vistas is one of the best-known formal gardens in the country and is the best surviving early 18th century English garden in the manner of le Notre.

It was laid out by Rt. Hon Thomas Coke, Vice Chamberlain to Queen Anne, with help from the garden landscape designers George London and Henry Wise in the formal style. It is noted for its long tunnel of Yew, its wrought iron pagoda created by Robert Bakewell and its statuary by Jan van Nost, notably the Four seasons monument, a gift from Queen Anne.

Lord Lothian now the Marquiss of Lothian took over running the Melbourne estate in 1987. His wife Lady Lothian is a painter of both portraits and landscapes. Since taking on the garden she has embarked on an extensive programme of restoration and planting within the original layout, and garnered praise from right across the British gardening community. Her eye for colour and detail means that the Melbourne Garden is a haven of delightful and unusual specimen trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders.

Melbourne Hall itself has a well-documented history and has been the home to two Prime Ministers, Lord Melbourne (Queen Victoria’s friend and confidant) and Lord Palmerston.

As William Lamb, Lord Melbourne’s wife the celebrated Lady Caroline Lamb spent time at the hall.

Melbourne Hall remains a lived-in family home, accounting for its warm and welcoming atmosphere.­­

Refreshments can be found at the Tea Rooms, The Brew House and the Sitooterie takeaway. Bi-Weekly food events are held throughout the summer.  Details can be found on the Hall’s social media: Instagram – melbournecourtyard_25 and Facebook Melbourne Hall Courtyard 25

www.melbournehallgardens.com or by telephoning 01332 862502