A historic garden is being restored to its original design vision.
The Long Garden at Cliveden, originally designed for 'peak Ascot week' by Norah Lindsay, is undergoing significant updates as part of a restoration project by the National Trust.
The project, which began in November, will continue until spring 2025.
During this period, some areas of the garden may have limited access, though visitors can still see various parts of the conservation work in action.
The restoration involves replacing the current path with durable York stone paving, removing box hedging in favour of more resilient yew hedging, replanting four central beds, and installing new automated gates at the entrance.
The aim is to create a more sustainable planting scheme that pays homage to Norah Lindsay’s original early 20th-century designs.
This decision has been made in response to ecological concerns and the desire to honour Lindsay’s design vision.
The previous annual bedding scheme was deemed unsustainable due to its monoculture nature, high resource demands, and frequent replanting needs.
In 2022, Cliveden started transitioning towards a more sustainable approach in the Long Garden, integrating biodiverse plantings and reducing soil disruption with a no-dig system.
The new design aims to create a resilient, long-term planting scheme that reflects Norah Lindsay's influence while addressing today’s environmental challenges.
The first phase of the project includes removing the artificial grass path and replacing the declining box hedging with dwarf yew hedging, which is more resilient to pests and diseases.
The second phase involves laying a new, highly durable path using York stone paving, designed to last for decades.
The path’s increased width will also improve accessibility, ensuring a more inclusive experience for all visitors.
The third phase involves implementing a new planting scheme inspired by Norah Lindsay’s 1930s original plan for the garden, re-imagined by landscape designer James Scott from The Garden Company.
The final phase includes installing new gates at the entrance to the Long Garden.
The old gates, which required manual operation and were not accessible to all visitors, will be replaced with automated gates that ensure easier access for everyone.
These new gates will remain in harmony with the garden’s historic character while offering a modern, inclusive solution.
As part of the overall project, the wall running along Bourne End Road will be repointed to improve its stability.
Specialist conservation brick workers, skilled in working with historic walls and lime mortar, will carry out the repairs.
The timeline for this work is dependent on the weather, as cold conditions can cause the lime mortar to dry too quickly and become brittle.
Repointing will be completed in four sections, beginning with the exterior of the wall, followed by the interior.
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