Walled garden open to public after 270 years

The walled garden of an historic country estate has been opened to the public for the first time in its 270-year history.

The Bowood Estate, near Calne, Wiltshire, is marking 50 years since its house and grounds were opened to the public.

The walled garden has remained private to the estate's owners, the Lansdowne family, for centuries but it will now be open to offer a glimpse of the "rich history and ongoing legacy" of the estate.

Bowood hopes the opening of the garden will boost its credentials as a space for sustainability-focused education.

The estate has been owned by the family for more than 250 years and was famously where a former librarian at the house Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1774.

These days the Grade I-listed house and gardens boast a golf course, hotel, spa and adventure playground - welcoming more than 120,00 visitors a year.

Chief executive and 11th generation custodian of Bowood Lord Kerry said the walled garden had always been an "integral" part of the estate.

He said he hoped the opening of the "stunning" garden would offer new insight into Bowood's rich history "to be enjoyed by all".

There is a new sensory garden designed for school groups, families and garden enthusiasts.

Bowood's head gardener David Glass said its opening was a "proud moment for everyone involved".

He said he hoped the walled garden would showcase the estate's "evolving" role as a space for education "with a focus on sustainability".

The estate's adventure playground has also been updated to mark the anniversary.

The work has been completed by the playground's original builders and features a new 30m zip wire and giant dragon swing for groups.

The Bowood Estate will reopen on 1 April until November.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.