Open Gardens at The Laskett Gardens

In aid of St Michaels Hospice

Easily accessed, just off the A49 at Much Birch, The Laskett Gardens are the creation of Sir Roy Strong, the former director of the V&A Museum and the National Portrait Gallery and his late wife, the acclaimed theatre and film designer, Julia Trevelyan Oman. The gardens offer a unique portrait of its makers with the story of their marriage and their extraordinary lives woven into its very fabric.

They began to take shape in 1974 when Sir Roy and Julia moved to Herefordshire and have continued to evolve ever since; now having the unique accolade of being the largest formal gardens to have been created in England since the Second World War.

Julia’s legacy remains and visitors will be invited to view Julia’s Walk; a wildflower meadow with a meandering path featuring spring flowers that she loved and an orchard of local heritage varieties of apples and pears.

Elsewhere, a Silver Jubilee garden was laid in 1977 and re-laid in 2005.

There are nods towards Sir Roy’s working life in the form of a V&A Temple which was erected in 1998.

The Colonnade Court – the perfect setting for an alfresco lunch or even theatre production but in this instance coffee and teas – the Rose Garden, Great Ascent and Serpentine Walk with all it topiary are eye-catching additions, as is the 65-yard Elizabeth Tudor Walk. These gardens are, as Sir Roy says “a visual expression of a very happy marriage”.

Sir Roy will be on hand during the day to talk to visitors about his latest book; Scenes and Apparitions: The Roy Strong Diaries 1988-2003.

The Laskett Shop, selling items exclusive to the gardens, plus a range of plants grown in the garden, will be open on the day

For more information visit the website www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk/events