Hylands Estate is a prestigious Grade II* listed public park encompassing 574 acres of historic parkland. After having been neglected for many years the site has an imposing beautifully renovated Neo-Classical elegant villa that complements the parkland setting.
The ornate Victorian Pleasure Gardens can be found hidden in the 574 acre Hylands Estate near The Stables. With several period garden styles to explore and the on-going planting restoration, there’s always something new to see.
The garden dates back to the early 1900s and has herbaceous beds lined with Box edging and standard roses, including Mary Rose and Ann Boleyn varieties. The formal raised border by the House with its clipped Yew hedging and collection of Irises marks the start of the main walk into the gardens.
The path leads to the hidden core of the gardens with its Repton style planting and Rose basket. An impressive planting scheme with White Foxglove and Gypsophila, and roses such as Rosa Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Rosa Susan William-Ellis, makes for a beautiful display. Be sure to take a look at the Victorian Parterre with its centre piece sundial and eye-catching display of seasonal bedding. A small Lily pond flanked by two oak arbours clad in Wisteria and borders containing Allium, Nepeta and Peonies and old-variety scented roses, Rosa White Provence and Rosa Centifolia Muscosa, is also worth noting.
Central to the Pleasure Gardens is the beautiful duck pond home to a variation of fish, ducks and geese. Duck food can be purchased from the Information Park in The Stables.
The Villa and Pleasure gardens represent the two primary photographic opportunities though the nature trees within the broader parkland provide other options.
