Page 8 - cn emma- Belvoir- Studio epa collection september 2025
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The Duchess Garden {initially known as the Ladies Garden} is positioned on the escarpment slopes of
Blackberry Hill. Capability Brown had envisioned a ‘shady seat’ in the wooded area.
However, Elizabeth wanted such a place as a secret garden that would be discovered after a walk through the
newly established woods that ascended from the castle.
Between 1807—1820’s the Duchess and Hermit Gardens were being established and landscaped, whilst the
new castle was still under construction.
Today the Duchess Garden is a mixture of Elizabeth’s Ladies Garden and the Spring Gardens created by
Violet the 8th Duchess in the early 1900’s including the restoration programme carried out by Emma, the
present Duchess.
Planted borders run along the Duke’s Walk Terrace, before merging into planting of shrubs and ornamental
trees which were planted for spring and autumn colours.
The Peony Border is part of the series of highly colourfully planted borders providing at every angle a view
which is set off against the backdrop of the Duchess Gardens spatial qualities.
