Gardens & Grounds
The approach to the Hall along the West Drive offers the perfect place to admire the architecture and setting of the building. From here, the wider estate becomes part of the experience. The surrounding woodlands and paddocks are rich in habitats and species, forming a natural backdrop that enhances the more designed elements of the gardens.
The Walled Garden and surrounding formal areas highlight some of the more recent additions at Mannington. Built in the early 20th century to provide produce for the Hall, the Walled Garden was later redesigned in the 1980s as a heritage rose garden. Laid out in a series of compartments enclosed by hedges and trellising, it became a place of structure, scent and seasonal interest.
The gardens at Mannington Hall have evolved and changed in style and character over the centuries. As you explore, they unfold as a series of distinct areas, each with its own character. A sense of peace runs through the gardens and across the wider estate, where structure softens, the natural landscape takes over, and the wider countryside rolls in.
Nearly 50 years on, many of the original rose varieties have been lost, but those that remain still provide a wonderful display of flowers and fragrance. In more recent years, the planting has been enriched with a wider range of perennial plants, extending the flowering season, increasing horticultural interest and supporting nature through improved soil management and a greater diversity of pollinator-friendly plants.
The Chapel Garden itself has evolved around the ruins of the old parish church. Meandering paths pass beneath an overstory of interesting trees and through a landscape shaped by architectural elements dating back to the 15th century, creating a space that feels layered, historic and quietly reflective.
A sense of peace runs through the gardens and across the wider estate. Exploring these spaces offers a chance to appreciate the care and consideration involved in creating a garden that both entertains and calms through planting and design. There are moments, particularly at the edges of the formal gardens, where structure softens and the natural landscape takes over, allowing the wider countryside to roll in and highlight the remarkable diversity of the estate.
Gardens are constantly evolving and responding to change. The gardens at Mannington have now reached an exciting phase, with opportunities to rethink certain design elements, build on existing planting schemes and strengthen the relationship between the gardens and the wider landscape that surrounds them.
Beyond the Walled Garden, there are multiple paths and walks to explore, including the Chapel Garden. Paths wind around the ponds and moat, leading to viewpoints where the Hall can be seen from different aspects, each revealing something new about its intriguing and charming design.