The Castle is set in 1,000 acres of sweeping parkland. This was
designed for the 1st Earl of Carnarvon by the famous 18th
century landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Today, the parkland and gardens provide acres of peace, tranquillity
and discovery, with breathtaking views across the rolling
downlands of North Hampshire and the Kennet Valley.
Close to the Castle, is the Monks' Garden whose name is derived from the Bishops of
Winchester who owned the land for 800 years. It has a beautiful climbing rose wall above
a border with penstemons, a lavender walk and glass houses with Tea Roses for cutting as
well as peaches and nectarines.
There are espaliered medlar, quince and pear trees amongst yew topiary that leads into a
splendid white border garden. A gate in the white garden wall leads into the enchanting
Secret Garden with curving herbaceous borders, serpentine paths and riotous displays of
colour in July and August.
The visitor then walks out of the Secret Garden towards the new arboretum, created by the
current Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. They have reinstated a beech avenue which was
originally planted by Robert Herbert in the 1730’s. Different sorts of oaks, beech and crab
apples have been planted along with lilacs, philadelphus and daffodils and narcissi for the spring.
