Explore the garden and park at Melford Hall

Sheep in foreground with Melford Hall in background — Melford Hall with sheep in foreground | © National Trust

Enjoy a breath of fresh country air at Melford Hall, whether you enjoy a gentle stroll through the garden or a brisk walk in the park. Discover the colours, scents and sights of the seasonal planting throughout the garden and the parkland that surrounds it.

The West Garden

This part of the garden is dominated by the Banqueting House that was built by Sir Thomas Savage to entertain his most favoured guests. At the other end of the garden, we have the crinkle-crankle wall, originally built in 1739 but rebuilt after the gales of 1987. There are a number of specimen trees to admire, such as the Oriental plane and the Judas trees.

In the lawn is Lady Ulla’s pond, which is being renovated and will be a reflecting pond. It provides a habitat for great crested newts and other amphibians, which we're carefully managing to ensure that they can thrive.

There are herbaceous borders by the west wall, along with a 100-year-old wisteria that will be in full bloom in May.

Lord Somerset's Residence

In the north-east corner is ‘Lord Somerset’s Residence’, a quiet woodland corner planted with a variety of shade-loving plants. The woodland supports a variety of wildlife and is a favourite spot to look for insects or catch a glimpse of smaller garden birds.

Look out for the avenue of yew trees that runs from the banqueting house down to a large, planted urn. Down in the moat, you'll find espaliered fruit trees and a flower border of irises.

After exploring the garden, the north lawn is an ideal place to enjoy a cup of tea while admiring the view of the wider estate and parkland, where cattle and sheep graze.

The Parkland

Created by Sir John Savage in 1613, Melford Hall is surrounded by a vast historic deer park. Spanning 130 acres, and sporting a varied selection of specially mown paths, it's the perfect place to enjoy a breath of fresh country air.

As you walk up the hill, enjoy views of the north and east facades of the Hall, which has been standing for close to 500 years. When you reach the took lookout for two local landmarks, which many villagers view as the sign that they’ve arrived home. On your right is the Cedar of Lebanon tree, which stands proud and dominant in the landscape and, in the distance, you can see the tower of the 15th-century church, which contains one of the finest collections of medieval stained glass in the country.

The parkland is an ideal place for you and your four-legged friend to stretch your legs, and there are walking routes of various lengths and difficulties depending on your preferences. However, please note that dogs must be kept on leads at all times as the parkland is shared with free-grazing livestock. You can find out more about visiting Melford Hall with your dog here.

Guided Parkland Walk

For the very first time, 2024 provides a unique opportunity to explore the wider medieval park at Melford Hall. Our guide will show you not just some of the archaeological remains (old and more modern) but also the magnificent and quite exceptional collection of giant ancient oak trees, all set in the historical context of the park. You will also see and hear about some of the grand buildings to be found surrounding Melford Hall.

These are held monthly on a Wednesday morning. Booking is essential and the normal admission charge applies.

Follow the link for further information.