First sod cut in garden

Work to restore the historic Bushey Rose Garden to its former glory has begun.

Fiona Leadley, assitant landscape officer, said: "It has taken a long time to get to this point but we are all very excited about this project which could not have begun without the help of our will and able volunteers."

“The work will transform this garden into something beautiful for all the community to enjoy for years to come."

The Grade II listed garden is in a conservation area and contains several Grade II buildings but deteriorated over the years and suffered from vandalism.  The Rose Garden plays an important role in the Bushey community.  Sir Hubert von Herkomer, an eminent Victorian artist, ran an Art School on the site from 1883 to 1904.  The garden replaced the art school in 1913 and was created for Herkomer by landscape designer, Thomas Mawson, who was given a portrait by the artist in lieu of payment. Mawson later went on to become the first president of the Landscape Institute and has left a legacy of parks and gardens in the UK and abroad.

The work, which will include restoring a summer house, paved areas and a pergola as well as the sunken garden, is being funded through a grant of nearly £1m following a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund's (BIG) Parks for People programme.

The Rose Garden is currently closed to the public while work takes place and is scheduled to reopen next summer.