Packwood House is a Grade 1 listed Tudor Manor House, first built by the Fetherston family in the late 16th century.  After a decline in fortune, it was lovingly restored at the beginning of the 20th century by Graham Baron Ash who created within it his own vision of a Tudor Manor House.

It is set within a rare survival; a 17th century garden, beyond which is a parkland landscape of tree avenues, woods, and ponds.  A series of hedgerows, meadow, coppices, and ponds makes it an ideal home for a variety of wildlife ranging from twayblade orchids to newts.

The Grade II* garden is best known today for the topiary yew garden (timed openings, please check website for details) and its ‘modern mingled’ style flower borders.

There are two Silent Spaces at Packwood.

North Court

Here, you can look up into the canopies of the mature trees, outward to the Spinney – an area rich with snowdrops and daffodils in the Spring, and with glimpses of the parkland beyond. Or inward to the cool white plantings of the Court.  In early Summer the scent of the lime trees fills this area.  Sit awhile and list to the birds singing and the leaves rustling.  This area is accessible all year round.

Canal Meadow

This is a seasonal Silent Space, accessible in the late Spring through to early Autumn.  Here the yew hedge screens you from view as you look out over Canal Meadow with its camassias and irises to the parkland beyond.  Watch for the green woodpecker’s bobbing flight and listen to the sheep bleating in the parkland.

Images © Gary Webb