Windows on the world (557)

 

South Woodham Ferrers, 2026

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The Frames - Sad Songs.

Living willow sculptures at Hyde Hall

Every winter the team at RHS Garden Hyde Hall creates spectacular living willow sculptures in the Winter Garden by binding the willow stems together into fantastical shapes. The theme behind this year’s sculptures is ‘after dark’ and you can find of all sorts of creatures and creations you’d expect to see in the garden at night. Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Yelverton’ is a favourite willow to sculpt with, both for its fantastic colour and vigorous growth, meaning it has lots of side shoots to play with.

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The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound.

Windows on the world (552)

South Woodham Ferrers, 2025

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Smoking Popes - Allegiance.

 

Windows on the world (518)

 South Woodham Ferrers, 2025

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Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Empty Trainload Of Sky.

Hyde Hall

Nestled in the heart of rural Essex, Hyde Hall is an oasis of peace and tranquillity with an eclectic mix of traditional and modern planting styles. The garden has expanded over the years and there are now more than 365 acres of garden to explore.

To look at Hyde Hall today, it’s hard to imagine its beginnings as a farm estate. The farmhouse and estate were purchased by Dick and Helen Robinson in 1955 and they donated the 24-acre garden they created with the surrounding farmland to the RHS in 1993. Since its inception, this vast garden has established from a handful of trees to a jewel in the landscape.

In 1976 the Hyde Hall Gardens Trust was set up and in 1993, the Robinsons donated the 24 acre garden they had created with the surrounding farmland to the RHS. Today, the garden encompasses 365 acres, of which 90 acres are leased to a local tenant farmer and 85 acres are grassland. One of the first major garden projects was the installation of a 45-million litre (10 million gallon) reservoir to provide the garden with all its irrigation needs. To further promote its water-efficient ethos a Mediterranean styled Dry Garden was added to showcase a range of drought tolerant plants. The Dry Garden was completed in the spring of 2001 – following one of the wettest winters known.

In 2002, a renovation of the old Pig Park along with The Queen Mother’s Garden were undertaken. Work then began on an Australia and New Zealand Garden. Designed around mature eucalyptus trees, the area has an authentic Antipodean feel with many native plants such as kangaroo paws, and tree ferns. Project work continued with the redevelopment of Hermione’s Garden, which is a true plant haven with many detailed and unusual species. As a lasting tribute to Hyde Hall’s original owners, the area was renamed The Robinson Garden.

The RHS also embarked upon an extensive tree planting programme, with around 50,000 trees initally planted. Visitors can now enjoy a stroll through the woodland and explore the rich flora and fauna. A major turning point came in 2008 with the construction of a visitor centre comprising a café, shop and garden centre. The building was officially opened in March 2010 by Alan Titchmarsh. Work continued at pace and the ever-changing landscape ensured visitors had plenty to draw inspiration from. Projects included a Winter Garden, Global Growth Vegetable Garden and a Sky Meadow.

Hyde Hall now offers beautiful panoramic views and rollings hills. The landscape continues to evolve with new features creating a garden for all seasons. 

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 Linda Perhacs - The Soul Of All Natural Things.

Windows on the world (492)

Hyde Hall, 2024

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James MacMillan - A New Song.

 

Windows on the world (466)

 Hyde Hall, 2023

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T Bone Burnett - Waiting For You.

Windows on the world (456)

 Rettendon, 2023

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Innocence Mission - Morning Glory.

Winter Garden - Hyde Hall

 

Hyde Hall's Winter Garden, which opened in winter 2018, and has been designed to show that gardens can look spectacular even through the coldest months of the year. The Winter Garden celebrates seasonal change, from its autumn display of foliage and berries to the colourful stems and skeletal seedheads of the colder months.

Set against this winter landscape, a series of sculptures by David Watkinson explore the gradual decay of a leaf. Look out also for Hyde Hall’s living sculptures.

Striking plant combinations include the glossy leaves of Viburnum odoratissimum underplanted with the contrasting yellow foliage of Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’.

Cornus (dogwood) offers wonderful variety and winter colour, with stems ranging in hue from white through yellow, orange and red. The Winter Garden features around 100 different types of Cornus , which is being monitored as part of a RHS Trial to establish which varieties perform reliably.

Colour and texture are also provided by the herbaceous plants with seedheads and stems that remain though winter adding a variety of colour and texture - like the perennial grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian's Choice' pictured above. The golden haze from Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’, meanwhile, seems to float among the seedheads of Liatris spicata ‘Floristan Violett’, Amsonia tabernaemontana and the silvery foliage of Anaphalis triplinervis ‘Somerset’.

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Live - Run To The Water.

Exhibition: Theatrical Ceramics by David Millidge

 

'Theatrical Ceramics' by David Millidge, 18-26 August 2023, Hyde Hall. 

David Millidge produces unique ceramic sculptures and installations using a combination of slip-casting and thrown forms. He is experimental with layering glazes and wax-resist techniques, although many of his effects are created solely with coloured clays.

This is the second solo exhibition of ceramic art created by artist David Millidge. Head to The Hilltop Lodge to discover a carefully curated exhibition of stunning pieces inspired by architecture, films, fashion and culture. This diverse collection draws you into a fantasy world and includes vessels, modular abstract sculpture and figurative work, which brings mannequins to life.

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The Strawbs - Benedictus.