The ongoing restoration of the magnificent National Trust gardens and
woodlands at Cliveden has revealed many secrets, including a long-lost
fruit garden, which has been out of production since the 1950s.
Cliveden's Round Garden was laid out in the mid-19th century and is
possibly the only surviving example of a circular fruit orchard in the
UK from this period. It was highly ornamental, with apple, plum, cherry
and pear trees growing up and over seven-foot-high iron hoops arranged
around and across the 250ft diameter.
Over the past two years Cliveden's Rangers and a dedicated volunteer team
have spent many hours reclaiming the Round Garden's historic layout from
the undergrowth that had enveloped it. Some of the original hoops were
found in the garden and were individually assessed for restoration. The
hoops were sent to a forge where they were able to straighten 40 of the
originals and make a further 138 to the same design. All the hoops
have now been installed to complete the unique layout. The team have
also cleared the perimeter and cross paths, rotovated the soil and sown
grass seed to create lush walkways through the arches.
"There would once have been at least 500 trees in this area, as well as
soft fruits such as strawberries, redcurrants and blackberries, providing
fruit for the whole Cliveden estate," says Cliveden's Senior Ranger, Tim
Crauford, who is leading a project to restore this unusual feature. "We're
in the process of identifying the many varieties of heritage apple and
pear still growing in the orchard, most of which were planted over 150
years ago."
The older trees are now being looked after via a regular pruning regime
which will hopefully allow them to remain productive for many years to
come. Meanwhile, plans are being made to plant new saplings this winter
that will be trained up the archways to further help visitors to imagine
what this great fruit garden once looked like.
Whilst the garden has declined in terms of fruit production, wildlife
has flourished and it is now a haven for many rare insects and fungi,
as well as bats and birds. This wildlife is being encouraged by the
creation of wild flower meadows around the perimeter of the garden.
The restoration project is going to take many years, but the Round Garden
is only a short walk from the visitor car park via Green Drive. Visitors
are welcome to drop by and see how the project is getting on.
Cliveden is open 10am – 5.30pm until 28 October, then 10am –
4pm until 31 December. It is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December. For
further information about opening times and admission prices as
well as news and events at Cliveden call 01628 605 069 or visit
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden
Cliveden is looking for volunteers to work on the Round Garden. If
you enjoy being outdoors, are physically fit and have a passion for
nature conservation, you could help with ground clearance, opening up
footpaths, inspecting, pruning and restoring existing trees, and planting
new ones. The Rangers are also keen to hear from anyone with photographs
or memories of the original fruit garden who might be able to help piece
together what it once looked like.
For further information about this and other volunteering
opportunities at Cliveden, please call 01628 605069 or email:
clivedenvolunteering@nationaltrust.org.uk
