(Photo: Chiswick House Kitchen Garden Association)
These spectacular 17th-century 2.5-acre walled gardens were created in 1682 by Sir Stephen Fox, Paymaster General of the Armed Forces and Samuel Pepys\' employer. In the early 19th century the gardens were incorporated into the 6th Duke of Devonshire\'s estate at Chiswick House. What had begun as a fashionable \'wilderness\' of shrubs and specimen plants evolved into a productive garden, finally falling into decay in the latter part of the 20th century.
Under the umbrella of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, restoration works based on documentary research and archaeological evidence have recently transformed the gardens. The Northern Walled Garden has been turned from an abandoned modern nursery into a cherry orchard. In the Southern Walled Garden lost paths have been reinstated and over 240 historic fruit trees and soft fruits planted by volunteers.
The appointment of a Community Gardener in June 2010 (funded by the Big Lottery Fund\'s Local Food Scheme) has led to the recruitment of many more volunteers and on-going contact with local community groups and schools. As well as regular volunteering sessions a full education programme is running one day a week and therapeutic gardening sessions have been introduced.
The garden continues to develop. As well as our existing herb, flower, fruit and crop rotation beds, we have a newly built accessible raised-bed system for use by gardeners with mobility issues. We have recently received a colony of bees through the London Mayor\'s Capital Bee initiative.
The walled gardens are reached via the newly restored Italian Garden and splendid 300ft conservatory.
Community Gardener: William Rallison
