Nostalgic look at Wrest Park record

It appeared in the Gardeners’ Chronicle entitled Trusted Servants, alongside an article applauding the excellent employee service record which totalled 391 years.

This week the scene was re-enacted featuring today’s team of gardeners and volunteers, with modern machinery replacing the traditional horse-drawn tools in the original.

Wrest Park - now under the wing of English Heritage - is a Bedfordshire gem and probably Britain’s largest and best ‘secret garden’ with surprises around every corner.

The magnificent baroque pavilion was designed by renowned architect Thomas Archer in 1709. The fabled Lancelot “Capability” Brown was hired in 1758 to make the boundary canals less formal and more natural.

The gardens remained virtually unknown until they were brought back to their original splendour and reopened to the public in August 2011 as part of a 20-year restoration project.

The park is open seven days a week (until November 3) from 10am to 6pm. There is a cafe in the walled garden and lots of picnic areas. Admission is £8.80 for adults.

> For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk