Chris takes up challenge at Jacobean hall

Kiplin Hall, near Richmond, has a new head gardener – 36-year old Chris Baker – who has devised a two-year plan to bring the gardens back to life.

The gardens at the Jacobean hall were in their heyday in the late 19th century, when photographs and records from the period show a well-stocked walled garden, ornamental ponds, apple orchard, rose gardens, greenhouses, large conservatory, peach and forcing houses and a very large vinery.

Much of the garden and grounds have been under grass or overgrown for many years, and the buildings are in a state of dilapidation or have been demolished.

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Assisted by an ever-growing team of enthusiastic volunteers, Chris relishes the task of bringing the gardens back to life in keeping with the history of the hall and grounds.

The gardening team has already improved the established, formal gardens, planted new knot gardens to the east of the hall and worked to maintain and further improve the recently restored Peninsula Wood and Victorian lily pond.

Over the next six months, Chris and the Kiplin volunteers will be undertaking a number of tasks, including replanting the apple orchard, which dates back to at least the 1850s, creating new parterres to the west of the house and a new garden seating area planted with ornamental grasses, planting a new bulb walk and continuing with the woodland and pond management.

The walled garden is also the focus of attention and, following surveys, Chris hopes to reinstate the paths, replant the espalier fruit trees and repair the gardeners' dipping pool.

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"I am fascinated by historic gardens, how my predecessors managed these complex grounds, which plants they grew, how they were grown and where they were displayed, he says.

"In rediscovering and developing the lost gardens at Kiplin, I feel we are doing very important work; preserving the history of the gardens for generations to come and enhancing the 'natural' beauty of the designed landscape for all to enjoy."

Anyone interested in joining Chris and his team of volunteers in the gardens and woodland at Kiplin Hall should telephone 01748 818178 or

email [email protected] for an application form.

YP MAG 18/9/10

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