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Gardens at Ragley Hall Ragley Gardens

GardenThe gardens at Ragley occupy 10 hectares and surround the magnificent Palladian Hall, although the 400 acres of parkland were designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown during the 18th century, little is known about the gardens prior to1873, when Victorian garden designer, Robert Marnock (1800-1889) created a formal flower garden intended to show off plants discovered in the New World.

The bare bones of Marnock’s late 19th century garden remains in evidence today and has matured into a rich palette for nature with mature trees predominating throughout, producing a rich foil for new developments.

The management and maintenance of the gardens now aims to optimise habitat and food resources for insects, birds and small mammals. The result is a garden in which traditional horticultural features incorporate, and exist alongside, valuable wildlife habitat.

The success of this naturalistic approach demonstrates that it is possible to maintain the horticultural interest and aesthetic appeal of a garden, without compromising native flora and fauna or limiting bio diversity.

Below are the main features of the gardens at Ragley -

1 - The Rose Garden

Robert Marnock, the renowned garden designer, originally created this formal area as a Victorian flower garden in 1873. However, following years of neglect in the early part of the 20th century, the 8th Marquess and Marchioness replanted it as a rose garden during the 1960s. In 2009 the Rose Garden was officially re launched following three years of redevelopment to create a more modern layout. The new design is based around diversity by taking away the majority of the grass and planting trees, shrubs and perennials to encourage insects.

2 - Mixed Border

The mixed border offers colour, form and texture throughout spring, summer and early autumn. With the exception of some spring bulbs, the planting consists predominately of herbaceous perennials such as Aster, Hosta and Sedums interspersed with shrubs and climbers such as Philadelphus and Clematis.

3 - The Winter Garden

The first phase of planting the winter garden was undertaken in the winter of 2005/6 and the second phase during winter 2006/7.

The plants chosen for this area have been selected specifically for winter interest and include some unusual species. Many of the shrubs such as Cornus and Salix have coloured stems. Rubus Heuchera and Jasmine provide texture and Lonicera x purpussi “Winter Beauty”, and Sarccoca confusa add wonderful scent. More unusual species include Stachyrus preacox and the deciduous holly, Ilex verticilliata. The creative planting using birch in a circle radiating out gives the area a sense of perspective and drama. Planting design by Dale Goll of Golls Nursery.

4 - The Scott Garden

The Scott Garden was opened in 2004 by Douglas Scott who is great friend of the Hertford family. This area consists of three main features; the fountain Garden the magnolias and the ponds. The aesthetic appeal of these circular quadrant beds is a reflection of the rose garden lay out, but these beds are individually designed and planted each year by the gardeners at Ragley with the magnolias providing a beautiful, but fleeting display at the end of spring. The transformation of this part of the garden was also accompanied by the creation of several small ponds. In terms of attracting wildlife these ponds are perhaps the most important additions to the garden. Recent pond dipping activities performed by local school children indicates that a diverse range of pond life seems to be thriving. The area around the pond has been intentionally left to grow wild and with careful management should encourage a wide range of native species to establish as the area matures.

5 - Spring Bulb Bank

Early in the season the bank boasts a spectacular show of welcome colour. Even in the harsh month of January, thousands of snowdrops herald the approach of spring. The yellow blue and lilac hues of crocus, which supersede the snowdrops, meander lazily down the entire length of the bank. As the weather warms, daffodils burst forth giving a glorious golden display, which is followed by a wonderful spring meadow filled with native primroses, buttercups, pink campion, violas and clouds of cow parsley.

6 - Fumpary

The shade of the canopy and the high water demand of the mature trees which dominate this part of the garden make it a difficult area to develop and manage. However, the use of old tree stumps reclaimed from Ragley woodland not only provides an excellent habitat, but also creates a beautiful foil for woodland plants such as erythroniums, hellebores and ferns. This type of planting softens the harshness of the stumps to provide structure and texture through the summer months.

7 - Meadow and Prairie

Following the decision in 1999 to manage this area of regularly mown grass as a traditional meadow, this two and a half acre site has matured into a rich tapestry of native flora.

Management of the meadow aims to emulate traditional animal grazing patterns, weakening dominant grasses and encouraging other species to flourish. The ongoing evolution of the meadow has seen the range of wild flowers in this area diversify, with cowslips and fritilaries predominant in spring, and field scabious, Knapweed and ladies bedstraw abundant in summer.

The wild feel of the meadow is complimented by the adjoining prairie with its grasses and herbaceous producing a stunning display of molten colours, structure and texture especially on a late summer afternoon.

The Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk is part of the picturesque 400 acre park and is an ideal place for children to explore and let off steam. The route takes you through grassland, established woodland and young plantations with 6 checkpoints to help you on your way; home to an abundance of wildlife while providing wonderful views of the House and the surrounding parkland. Due to carefully managed woodland this valuable habitat remains a haven for indigenous flora and fauna.AlcesterWarwickshireB49 5NJUnited Kingdom52.200384538610-1.891520858850https://www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/?dms=3&pid=

Gardens at Ragley Hall

Garden

VAQAS VISITENGLAND Code of Practice HISTORIC HOUSES ASSOC FRIENDS

Ragley Gardens

Prairie Garden

Details

The gardens at Ragley occupy 10 hectares and surround the magnificent Palladian Hall.

No video in the house. Suitablity for the Disabled: Access available. Restaurant: Drinks & Light Snacks available. Guided Tours: By arrangement. Parking: Free. Suitability for Dogs: In Park on leads.

Also at this Venue

Contact

Visitors Information

Address

Alcester,
Warwickshire,
B49 5NJ

Directions

Plan route using Google maps

Map reference: SP 075558 Lat: 52.20038 Long: -1.89152

Despite its magnificent rural setting close to Stratford-upon-Avon, Ragley Hall is located within easy reach of the motorway network so is accessible from a number of towns and cities including Warwick, Leamington, Henley-In-Arden, Evesham, Worcester and Birmingham and is just 2½ hours from Central London.
There are many hotels, B&B's and cottages close to Ragley to suit all budgets. We are happy to provide you with a selection of our favourites. First and foremost, Ragley is a family home therefore we do not offer accommodation on site.

Facilities

Facilities for educational visits
On-site catering
On-site light refreshments
Facilities for corporate hospitality
Helicopter landing

Children welcome
Disabled access
Dogs accepted

No video in the house. Suitablity for the Disabled: Access available. Restaurant: Drinks & Light Snacks available. Guided Tours: By arrangement. Parking: Free. Suitability for Dogs: In Park on leads.

Self-Assessed Accessibility Details

Parking

Designated parking for guests with disabilities

Within 50 metres approx. of entrance

The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
- is gravel
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
The route from the parking area to the entrance:
- Is flat (i.e. without steps)

Food

Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
- Sugar free (diabetic)
- Gluten free (coeliacs)
- Lactose free (dairy free)
- Nut free
- Additive free
- Organic
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair
High chairs for children
Children's menu

Public Areas

Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
- To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users
- To the gift shop
Baby changing facilities

General

Seating available for visitors with limited mobility
Wheelchairs provided

Free

Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility
Audible alarm system
Visual alarm system