Luton Hoo Estate

Walled Garden Project

For all enquiries Call 01582 721443 or email us through our contact page

At the heart of the Luton Hoo Estate lies a six-acre octagonal walled garden. Established in the 1770s by John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, friend and advisor to George 111 and consultant in the planning of Kew Gardens.

For nearly two centuries it was both a botanical garden and the production centre for the Estate's fruit, vegetable and cut flower needs.

Circa 1950

Next page >

The garden today

As with many great estates, the walled garden at Luton Hoo suffered a decline after World War Two and its original function as principal produce provider had ceased by the end of the 1950s. Today, the dignified but dilapidated glass houses, empty open ground and bare walls, stand as monuments to the glory days of kitchen gardening which reached its peak in the Edwardian period.