What's Happening? - May 2016
Surveys Completed!
The beginning of May saw the completion of the last of the three surveys commissioned by the Friends of Whitehurst Gardens. The results of the surveys - a structural survey of the walls and terraces, a 3-D scan of the vinery to record it, and three-day archaeological survey of the buried 17th century water feature - will be published on this site next month. They will help inform us on how to proceed with the next stage of the garden's restoration. |
Whitehurst Gardens is a mid-17th century walled garden created by Sir Thomas Myddleton of Chirk Castle in 1651 as an ornamental fruit garden and plant collection. The terraced walls and viewing mound still remain. A unique feature was a triangular lake or canal, now buried. It continued as a productive garden into the early 20th Century.
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Sadly, the garden is now at risk of becoming a significant ‘lost garden’ as its structures are deteriorating rapidly. Years of neglect have taken their toll on this once beautiful garden and its unique historical features will be lost to future generations.
It urgently needs restoration, both as a garden of special heritage interest and for the benefit of the local community. |
The Friends of Whitehurst Gardens is dedicated to restoring the gardens to their former glory. It has successfully secured start-up funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is working in collaboration with Wrexham County Borough Council, the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust, and experts from Cadw, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust and the National Trust.
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