Walled Garden History & Benefits: This Article Deals With These Iconic Gardening Features, Their Enduring Appeal & Historical Importance.
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Walled gardens are an iconic feature of the British landscape, deeply rooted in the nation’s horticultural history ands still impacting the way we grow garden crops today. Most of use know them as Victorian artefacts but their history goes back far further. However, the way the Victorian head gardeners used them, and the practices they developed, remain with us today.
UK Walled Garden History
The concept of enclosed gardens dates back centuries, with early examples using hedges or fencing for protection. However, the true “walled garden” as we know it in the UK really began to flourish from the 17th century onwards, reaching its zenith in the Georgian and Victorian eras.
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Early Uses and Protection (17th Century onwards): Initially, the primary purpose of the walls was practical: to protect delicate plants from the often harsh British weather, including wind and frost, and to keep out animals. This allowed for the cultivation of a wider range of produce and even exotic plants that were being imported into Britain, such as pineapples. Greenhouses were often built within these walled enclosures to provide even greater protection for these “exoticks.”
The Rise of the Kitchen Garden (18th-19th Centuries): As country estates grew, so did the demand for a consistent and diverse supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers for the “big house.” The 18th-century garden designer Batty Langley’s “compleat kitchen garden” plan advocated for enclosed, rectangular plots with specific orientations for optimal growing. Walled kitchen gardens became essential for self-sufficiency, often strategically placed at a distance from the main house to keep the working areas separate from the more ornamental pleasure gardens. NB Langley’s plan was not published in book form but is a composite of several books he did write .. See further reading below.
Technological Advancements (19th Century): The mid-19th century saw a boom in walled garden construction, partly due to the repeal of the glass tax, which made building glasshouses much more affordable. Many walled gardens incorporated “hot walls” – brick walls with internal flues connected to coal-fired boilers – to provide extra warmth and extend the growing season, even allowing for the cultivation of out-of-season produce like grapes and peaches.
Decline and Revival: World War One saw the decline of the walled garden. Starting a few days before war broke out young gardeners realised that they could earn far more asa n enlisted man than as a very junior member of the walled garden team. They joined up in their droves and estate gardens lost thousands of men in a few weeks. For walled gardens it was the beginning of the end. They never recovered. With the advent of mass-produced food and the decline of large estates in the 20th century, many walled gardens fell into disuse and disrepair. However, there has been a significant movement in recent decades to restore and revitalise these historic spaces. Many are now open to the public, functioning as productive kitchen gardens, educational centres, or beautiful visitor attractions.
It is worth bearing in mind that the size and wall height of walled gardens varied greatly. Some gardens were relatively small whilst others were well over an acre in size. The largest walled garden I know of in the UK is the Weston Walled Garden at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, Greater Manchester. It is 11 acres That is huge and would have required a huge staff.
Much would have depended on the nature of the gardens. For example Irish archives tell us that at Kylemore Abbey (in Conemarra) there were around 55 staff to manage the 6 acres. they had 21 greenhouses growing exotic fruit.
Walled Garden Benefits
Walled gardens offer a multitude of benefits, both historical and contemporary, that should resonate with the serious gardener.
Creating a Microclimate: This is arguably the most significant benefit in the predictably wet and cold UK climate. The high walls absorb the sun’s heat during the day and radiate it back at night, raising the ambient temperature within the garden by several degrees. This sheltered environment protects plants from wind and, to an extent, frost, allowing for the cultivation of tender and exotic species that wouldn’t otherwise thrive outdoors in many parts of the UK.
Extended Growing Season: The warmer microclimate within a walled garden extends the growing season significantly, allowing for earlier planting in spring and later harvesting in autumn. This was crucial historically for year-round fresh produce for large households and remains a valuable lesson for modern gardeners who can replicate the effect with fleece etc.
Pest and Disease Control: While not completely immune, the enclosed nature of a walled garden can help to deter larger pests like deer and rabbits. Better air circulation within the enclosed space can also reduce the risk of certain fungal diseases, as plants dry out faster. But of course that meant watering correctly and copiously was essential.
Optimised Growing Conditions: The south-facing walls are ideal for training fruit trees (such as espaliers) which benefit from the radiant heat, encouraging better fruit ripening. The design often allows for efficient planning of crop succession and the strategic placement of different plant types based on their light and warmth requirements.
Historical and Educational Value: Many restored walled gardens provide a fascinating glimpse into Britain’s horticultural past. They serve as living museums, demonstrating traditional gardening techniques, crop varieties, and the self-sufficient nature of historic estates. They offer valuable educational opportunities for all ages to learn about food production, plant science, and conservation.
Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat: Walled gardens, particularly those managed organically, can become havens for wildlife. The walls themselves can provide nesting sites for birds and crevices for insects like solitary bees, contributing to local biodiversity.
Aesthetic Beauty and Tranquillity: Beyond their practical uses, walled gardens are inherently beautiful spaces. Their enclosed nature often creates a sense of intimacy, peace, and refuge from the outside world. Personally I find them delightfully peaceful. The architectural elements of the walls, often adorned with climbing plants, also add a unique charm.
Community and Well-being: Many modern walled gardens are run by volunteers or community groups with some run as private allotments, providing opportunities for social interaction, skill-sharing, and promoting physical and mental well-being through gardening. They can be places of quiet contemplation or vibrant community hubs.
In essence, UK walled gardens represent a clever blend of practicality and beauty, born out of necessity and honed over centuries. Today, they continue to offer a unique and valuable contribution to the British landscape, from historical preservation to sustainable food production and spaces for well-being.
Can it be a wooden structure ? Not of Brick.
Yes, except a wooded structure will not hold as much heat as a stone or brick one.