The Laskett Gardens

The Laskett Gardens
View across section of garden. House to the right.
View across the garden in 2014
The Laskett Gardens is located in Herefordshire
The Laskett Gardens
Location within Herefordshire
51°57′36″N 2°42′13″W / 51.96011°N 2.70356°W / 51.96011; -2.70356
TypeGarden
LocationNear Much Birch and Llanwarne
Nearest cityHereford
History
Begun
1974
Site notes
OwnerGardeners' Royal Benevolent Society (Perennial)

The Laskett Gardens, near Much Birch, Herefordshire, England, were created by Sir Roy Strong and his wife, Julia, Lady Strong.[1] The couple purchased and moved to the rural property in 1973 and, over the next thirty years, built the garden from scratch.[2]

In 2015 Strong announced that he would bequeath the property to the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society, also known as "Perennial".[3] Perennial accepted the gift in 2021.[4]

In early 2026 it was reported that the Gardens would have to close for that year's season as well as suggesting the possibility that they may have to be sold, citing dwindling visitor numbers and lack of adequate visitor amenities.[5] This was later confirmed in March of the same year when it was announced by Perennial that after discussion "the Board has unanimously decided that the only viable option is to explore a potential sale of The Laskett Garden".[6] The property was then listed on the open market through a Hereford estate agent, John Goodwin. As of August 2026 the house and garden remain on the market.[7]

Artworks

Commissioned paintings of The Laskett Gardens were completed by Jonathan Myles-Lea (1995), Richard Shirley Smith (2006) and Paul Brason (2009).[8]

References

  1. ↑ Strong 2014, p. 11.
  2. ↑ Strong 2003, p. 20 et seq.
  3. ↑ "Sir Roy Strong bequeaths The Laskett Gardens to Perennial, safeguarding them for the next generation". Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  4. ↑ Owen, Jane (14 October 2022). "How to inherit a garden: the complexities of horticultural legacy". Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Sir Roy Strong's The Laskett Garden closes and may be sold". Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "A message from Perennial's CEO regarding The Laskett Garden". 4 March 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Laskett House & Gardens Laskett Lane Much Birch HR2 8HZ". John Goodwin FRICS. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Strong 2014, pp. 18–19.

Sources

  • Strong, Roy (2003). The Laskett: The Story of a Garden. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 978-0-59305-070-5.
  • Strong, Roy (2014). Remaking a Garden: The Laskett Transformed. Frances Lincoln Limited. ISBN 978-0-71123-396-6.

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