Across England, we have a fabulous inheritance of parks and gardens. They date from Roman times to the late 20th century and range from gardens and parks designed for country houses to public parks and cemeteries in our towns and cities, and other designed landscapes. The nationally important sites are designated as registered as parks and gardens of special historic interest to raise awareness about their conservation needs.
Historic gardens and other designed landscapes are vulnerable to changes ranging from new developments to neglect, and climate change. The Gardens Trust advises on how to conserve parks and gardens and mitigate threats to ensure future generations can enjoy these special places too. In particular, we advise on planning applications. Our Casework page explains our role in the planning system and other consultations.
Garden and landscape design is an important part of our national cultural heritage
Each generation of garden and landscape design reflects and advances our ideas of fashion and taste, economics and social changes. They are art forms created for enjoyment and recreation. Just like historic buildings and archaeology, they give us insights to the past and people’s lives. The tradition continues with new gardens and landscapes being created all the time. Some designs will be of note and in time added to this national canon.
In England, and the other UK countries, the most important are designated for their special historic interest. British landscape design has influenced gardens and parks around the world and some sites are of international importance.
The English Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, maintained by Historic England, reflects this story and more gardens continue to be added overtime. Here’s a taster of the diversity of sites on the Register:
- designs for homes from palaces, country houses, manor houses, and villas, to town gardens, terraced houses, and cottages.
- communal gardens and squares
- private resorts, and rented town gardens
- institutions such as asylums, botanical gardens and arboreta, cemeteries, colleges, factories, hospitals, hotels, museums, pumping stations, and reservoirs
- public amenity and recreation sites such as public parks, public gardens, public walks, public resorts
Conserving gardens across the UK
We work closely with the Welsh Historic Parks and Gardens Trust and Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage, who fulfil a similar role in their countries. In Northern Ireland, the Heritage Gardens Trust champions the protection of historic parks, gardens and demenses. We also liaise with international organisations.