A major change has happened at the Hilltop Complex. The old farm buildings have been demolished, and a new restaurant and activity centre have been created. These are south-facing, with magnificent views over the garden and rolling landscape. On the north side of Hilltop Garden we have built the dedicated Clore Learning Centre so that we can help more children and adults experience the joy of gardening.
There's good reason for this – at Hyde Hall we are proud to welcome more than 325,000 visitors each year, including children on school visits. The Clore Learning Centre will mean we can support even more schools across Essex and the surrounding area. We've also created a new teaching garden, complete with sensory garden and dipping ponds, that will broaden the range of interactive learning opportunities.
Thanks to The Clore Duffield Foundation for their generous support, and to all those RHS Members and supporters who gave to the appeal to help build the Centre, and fund our ongoing education work.
Big Sky Meadows, an ambitious project which could eventually see us create up to 20ha (50 acres) of perennial meadowland. We hope to open the first planting area in 2019.
Background
The creation of a large-scale cultivated perennial meadow will be a welcome addition to Hyde Hall’s rolling landscape. Radiating out from a majestic oak tree on the western hillside and connecting with the woodland fringes, it will have a relaxed, naturalistic feel with meandering grass pathways to explore. In time it will become a visual and sensual experience with its vast array of colours, textures and wildlife.
Explore
During the summer months visitors will be able to enjoy a relaxing stroll through this unique habitat with big open skies and far-reaching views. Gardeners will be able to admire the richness and diversity of species and children can have fun hunting for bugs and beasties and play hide and seek.
Planting
The perennial meadow will include hundreds of species from Africa, North America and Europe and key plants to look out for include Agapanthus, Gazania, Echinacea, Panicum, Euphorbia and Kniphofia. The peak period of interest will be from mid-May to the end of August, followed by autumnal colours and textures.
If you would like to help our work at Perennial Meadows, please make a donation next time you visit the garden, call our team on 020 7821 3125 or
donate online.
To find out more about supporting RHS Garden Hyde Hall, please contact the
fundraising team.