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Benington Lordship

A seven acre site with ruin of C12 Norman keep and C19 neo Norman folly. Highlights inc spectacular snowdrops and spring bulbs; formal rose garden; walled kitchen garden with vegetables, bantams, and wildflower meadow; orchard with perennial meadow; lake; unspoilt panoramic views over surrounding parkland. Recent replanting of main border with plants resistant to climate change & wildlife friendly.

Owner Info

Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship
Benington Lordship

About Benington Lordship

This is an old family garden of 7 acres made by the present owner’s great grandmother at the beginning of the C20. It was open for the National Gardens Scheme in 1927 and this has become an annual tradition.
The garden is cleverly designed on the site of a Norman castle and across the side of a steep hill merging into the surrounding parkland and lakes. The chief features are the earthworks and ruined keep of the castle, a magnificent neo-Norman folly built by James Pulham in the 1830s, a Queen Anne manor house with an Edwardian addition and a large veranda. The garden is particularly noted for the display of snowdrops in February.
Restoration of the rose garden was completed in 2016 which provides formality and structure whilst allowing the visitor to appreciate the interesting architecture. The walled garden was updated in 2019 with a more modern approach and includes a wildflower meadow punctuated by hornbeam pillars, whilst still retaining one half as a productive, floral vegetable garden.
New naturalistic planting of the main border began in 2023 with low maintenance plants which are in tune with nature and have been selected to tolerate our changing climate. A new perennial wildflower meadow is being established to merge the end of the long border with the adjacent orchard, creating a floral understory to the apple trees.
A wildlife friendly policy is followed throughout the garden so there are large areas of wild flowers and long grass and a healthy bird population flourishes.

Website:

https://www.beningtonlordship.co.uk

Benington Lordship features

Location details

Benington Lordship,
Stevenage,
Hertfordshire,
SG2 7BS

Directions to Benington Lordship
In Benington Village, next to church. Signs off A602.

Benington Lordship openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Cream teas. In February, refreshments served in onsite tearoom. In May, refreshments in parish hall adjacent to garden.
Admission Adult: £8.00
Child: £4.00
Opening times 11:00-16:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Light refreshments. In February, refreshments served in onsite tearoom. In May, refreshments in parish hall adjacent to garden.
Admission Adult: £8.00
Child: £4.00
Opening times 14:00-17:00

Accessibility

  • No information available at this time, please get in touch with the owners for details.
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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Benington Lordship. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Yes, one or more routes at Benington Lordship are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Benington Lordship seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.