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St Paul's Walden Bury

Spectacular formal woodland garden, Grade I listed, laid out 1720, covering over 50 acres. Long rides lined with beech hedges lead to temples, statues, lake and a terraced theatre. Seasonal displays of daffodils, camelias, irises, magnolias, rhododendrons, lilies. Wildflowers encouraged - cowslips, bluebells. This was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Children welcome. Dogs on leads.

Owner Info

St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul's Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury
St Paul’s Walden Bury

About St Paul's Walden Bury

The spectacular garden at St Paul’s Walden Bury, Grade 1 listed, was laid out between 1720 and 1730, when the house was built. The same family has lived here since then. It was the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The formal woodland garden, covering about 60 acres, was much influenced by French tastes, and is one of the few surviving examples of gardens of this genre, based on a patte d’oie (goose foot) design. Long rides lined with clipped beech hedges lead to temples, statues, lake and ponds, and to a terraced outdoor theatre. The temple by the lake was designed by William Chambers. At the far end of the long ride opposite is another temple influenced by a design of Wyatt’s. There are seasonal displays of daffodils, irises, magnolias, rhododendrons, woodland paeonies and lilies, shrub roses. Many of the rhododendron species from the Himalayas and SW China make an impressive sight in a good flowering year. Wild flowers are encouraged: banks of cowslips above the lake and bluebells in the woods make a beautiful show, and spotted orchids thrive. They are allowed to seed before the grass in which they grow is cut, so there is a natural look in some parts of the garden in early summer. There is plenty of space in the garden for lively children.

Website:

https://www.stpaulswaldenbury.co.uk

St Paul's Walden Bury features

Location details

St Paul's Walden Bury,
Hitchin,
Hertfordshire,
SG4 8BP

Directions to St Paul's Walden Bury
On B651; ½m N of Whitwell village. From London leave A1(M) J6 for Welwyn (not Welwyn Garden City). Pick up signs to Codicote, then Whitwell.

St Paul's Walden Bury 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 Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £8.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-18:00

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 Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £8.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-18:00

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 Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £8.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-18:00

Accessibility

  • Good wheelchair access to part of the garden.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at St Paul's Walden Bury. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at St Paul's Walden Bury. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Yes, one or more routes at St Paul's Walden Bury are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. St Paul's Walden Bury 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.