At Wollaton Hall we like to bring part of the museum home to you, with information and activities linked to our collection and sites.
For instance, did you know that Wollaton Hall’s Walled Garden can help us understand how people lived and used it in the past? It gives inspiration for everyone to get creative, or go outside in their garden, over the long weekend and half-term holiday.
Below we explore a little more about Wollaton Hall’s Walled Garden and activities in the garden.
History of Wollaton Hall’s Walled Garden
Wollaton Hall was built by Francis Willoughby and completed in 1588. It wasn’t until 1783 that a new walled kitchen garden was designed to provide all the flowers, fruit and vegetables for the family, servants and guests at Wollaton Hall.
A Walled Garden shelters plants from the wind and frost and keeps the plants warm and helps them to grow. The walls are usually made from brick or stone which absorbs the heat and then slowly releases it; these are ideal conditions for growing peaches, grapes and nectarines against the walls. A traditional Walled Garden design is split into 4 quarters surrounded by paths with a pool or well at the centre.
The types of vegetables that may have been planted in the garden at Wollaton Hall include cabbages, onions, leeks, lettuce and spinach (and even potatoes!)
Working to restore the Walled Garden today
Volunteers have been working hard to bring the Wollaton Hall Walled Garden back to life and as it’s an ongoing project, we’ll keep you updated as it progresses.
To discover more, visit our Walled Garden blog.
Our challenge for the green-fingered…
Over the long weekend and half-term holiday, why not have a go at planting your own vegetables and watch them grow.
You could try growing lettuce, runner beans, tomatoes, or cress.
April is an ideal time to be growing runner beans and you can see who can grow the tallest runner bean in your family.
Why not help your kids plant some seeds which can be grown in the garden or on a windowsill.
Not got any seeds handy?
Instead you could have a go at designing your own kitchen garden, and draw a picture to illustrate.
Think about the types of vegetables, fruit and flowers you would like to grow and how you would plan the garden. Think about other areas you may need in your garden, perhaps a pond to encourage wildlife, a compost bin, or a greenhouse.
We would love to see your garden designs, so why not photograph them and share with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter by tagging us with #WollatonHall
