National Trust completes major restoration of Cliveden's Long Garden

Work on a major restoration of the Long Garden at Cliveden has been completed by the National Trust.

The 200-metre garden was originally designed in the 1930s for the Astor Family by celebrated garden designer Norah Lindsay.

The garden has undergone a transformation which blends its history with a more ‘contemporary, resilient solution’.

The project, which was announced in 2024, has reimagined the garden’s planting and overall structure to meet the challenges of an ever-changing climate and to boost visitor accessibility, while honouring Lindsay’s original vision.

Known for her vertical elements, textured planting and sculptural topiary, Lindsay’s influence remains central to the new design.

The design features tall beech ‘beehives’, yew ‘pin cushions’ and a ‘rich tapestry’ of herbaceous plants and ornamental grasses.

Robert Miles, general manager at Cliveden, said: “This restoration is about more than preserving a beautiful garden – it’s about reinterpreting a historic design for the future.

“Norah Lindsay’s bold vision has guided us, and we’ve worked to ensure the Long Garden remains a place of inspiration, biodiversity and accessibility for generations to come.”

Cliveden’s garden team worked with James Scott, garden and landscape designer from The Garden Company on a new masterplan for the garden.

James said: “Cliveden attracts thousands of visitors every year. What I really hope is that when people visit the redesigned Long Garden, they will find it a very immersive, tranquil experience.

“At the height of summer, there will be some large, dramatic herbaceous plants making people feel that they are ‘in’ the space rather than simply going through it.”

The new planting scheme replaces the former annual bedding displays, which were ‘visually striking but unsustainable due to their monoculture nature and high resource demands’.

Instead, a no-dig approach was adopted to reduce soil disruption, and the garden now includes a biodiverse mix of perennials, shrubs and grasses.

These have been selected for their long seasons of interest and ability to support wildlife and pollinators.

Outside of the main spring and autumn season, rose hips and the stems and seedheads of Pennisetum and Calamagrostis, provide interest and habitat during the winter months.

Anthony Mason, head gardener, said: “We’ve designed the garden to have interest all year round and be relevant to today’s modern climate.

“The new planting will attract a wider range of pollinators, and by allowing plants to die back naturally, we’re creating shelter and food sources for insects and birds throughout the year.”

Sheila Das, head of gardens and parks, said: “Gardening is a future focussed act which is often at its most resonant when inspired by what went before.

“The reimagination of the Long Garden at Cliveden really builds upon the idea that as we adapt our gardening approach to work with our available resources and the changing climate, we can find new beauty and share inspiration with everyone who comes to visit now and for many years to come.”

Accessibility at the Long Garden has also been improved through the project.

The central path has been widened and paved using durable Apperley Antique Yorkstone, hand-dressed to complement the historic character of the garden.

New automated gates, designed in a ‘historically sympathetic style’, open at the start of the day to provide easier access ‘and a more welcoming approach’, and close at the end of the day to keep out deer.

The conservation work on the garden’s historic walls completes the project.

For more information about Cliveden, visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden