The diversity of planting at Benington Lordship offers visitors something to see all year round.

The season begins with the flowering of snowdrops and hellebores in February. The snowdrops have naturalized around the moat and castle ruin and a snowdrop walk was planted along the old inner bailey in the early twentieth century.

The formal rose garden was replanted in 2016 with four weeping pear trees (Pyrus Salicifolia) underplanted with Rosa Kent and tulips and enclosed by box hedging. The wilderness bank behind the formal area is now planted with a wealth of spring bulbs, linking the area to the snowdrop walk beyond.

The long, double herbaceous borders run downhill from east to west, framed by a wall on one side and yew hedge on the other. They are an unsophisticated mix of old fashioned plants including favourites such as lupins, delphiniums, achilleas, asters, clematis and geraniums, and change constantly from May to September.

The walled kitchen garden has raised beds in the upper half which are used for growing fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, the lower half was redesigned in 2019 to create two meadow areas for spring bulbs and wildflowers and ornamental beds around the walls with multi stemmed Prunus serrula, Amelanchier and grasses.

The garden features three spring fed pools which feed into two ponds. The larger pond has been restored as a carp pond – probably its original purpose at the time the Norman keep was built. The lower pond was fenced in 1996 and is a haven for birds and dragonflies.

Much of the garden is managed with wildlife in mind and many of the banks are planted with spring bulbs or wild flowers such as cowslips and primroses. The grass is left long in these areas to enable insects to flourish and the bulb foliage to die back naturally. The mature apple trees in the orchard are also important for wildlife, particularly the birds that feed on insects during the summer and the windfalls in autumn.

Benington Lordship is a private family home and the garden is only open on selected dates throughout the season, as listed below. There is no public access to the grounds outside the advertised hours.

The tea room is open from Monday to Saturday 11-4pm during February only, when we serve a limited selection of savoury snacks, cream teas, tea, coffee and cakes. On all other openings, and on Sundays in February, refreshments are available in the parish hall in aid of St. Peter’s Church or village groups.

For pre-booked parties, outside normal opening hours, tea and coffee can be arranged when making a booking.

To arrange a group visit please contact us via our enquiry form.