Chenies Manor House and Gardens and Hatfield House (Gardens & Park only)

The original house was extended in the 16th century by John Russell, later 1st Earl of Bedford, to whom the property passed through marriage. In the centre of the main house, there is an unusual spiral staircase where the handrail has been carved into the brick.   The property is now owned by the MacLeod Mathews family.  Through the centuries the gardens have undergone many transformations.  Elizabeth MacLeod Matthews has been responsible for rescuing and adding to the gardens since the late 1950s. Throughout the garden, permanent herbaceous plantings and shrubs are complemented by two distinct main seasonal plantings, for Spring and Summer.  “For several years now Elizabeth MacLeod Matthews has directed her skill, that of assembling beautiful plant associations, towards the most tumultuously coloured of plants; tulips. Among the vanguard in rehabilitating tulips as garden plants and using them with other spring foliage and blooms, she has refined her palette to daub the sometimes gloomy days of Easter with brightness and elegance.”  The Gardens are divided into a series of compartments, with various colour themes and structural forms, combining imaginative plantings and beautiful plant associations.

Refreshments: Coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival. As this is a private visit, the tea room will not otherwise be open, so you are advised to have lunch at Hatfield, or to bring sandwiches.

 

Dating from the 17th century, the gardens at Hatfield House, home of the Cecil family for 400 years. have evolved into a gardeners’ paradise. Visitors can enjoy the peace of the West Garden with its scented garden and fountains, and view the famous knot garden adjoining the Tudor Old Palace where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood. The West Garden which was re-designed in 1902 is surrounded by a pleached lime walk and yew hedges. The beds contain spring bulbs, geraniums, iris, shrubs, and many herbaceous plants.

The East Garden was laid out by the 5th Marquess of Salisbury. This part of the Garden has elegant parterres, topiary and rare plants which are a delight for the gardening enthusiast and for those wishing to spend a quiet time in idyllic surroundings.

Refreshments are available at The Coach House Restaurant, which serves a wide variety of seasonal homemade food in pleasant surroundings.

The gift shop sells honey from Hatfield Park, local conserves, plants and our wide range of stylish stationery and giftware.  Alongside are a bookshop and a toyshop.

Depart BG 8.15am or Trumpington Park & Ride 8:30am

Coach returns approx. 7pm