Hidden garden reveals treasures
28 May 2010
A secret garden in the centre of Monmouth once visited by Lord Nelson and his lover Lady Hamilton is to open its doors to the public after volunteers rescued it from neglect.
Despite its city-centre location, the Grade II* listed garden is all but invisible, tucked away behind walls and only accessible through a 3m (10ft) tunnel. Once described as the best garden in Monmouth, it lay abandoned until a team of volunteers discovered it and set about its restoration.
The original 19th-century promenade pathways and a hollow hypocaust wall, once heated to cultivate tender fruit trees, are now being uncovered and restored. At the same time, planting plans are being drawn up to return the garden to its Georgian heyday, when Nelson visited the garden on at least one occasion to enjoy tea with Lady Hamilton and her husband Sir William.
Visitors are invited to watch volunteers at work on the restoration on any fine Wednesday morning from 10.30-12pm until September.