Renishaw Hall and Cantley Hall

PGG visit to Renishaw Hall and Cantley Hall

Renishaw Hall

Home to the Sitwell family for nearly 400 years, Renishaw Hall and Gardens is predominantly an Italianate garden set in a traditional English countryside. The house and formal grounds date from the 1620s, but it was the passion and commitment of Sir George Sitwell, 4th Bt., and his admiration for the classical Italian gardens, that forms the landscape of Renishaw Hall and Gardens still enjoyed by visitors today.



The stunning Italianate gardens were laid out in the late 19th century by Sir George, the brilliantly eccentric great-grandfather of the current owner, Alexandra. Sir George applied the principles of Italian Renaissance gardens to the garden he made at Renishaw: symmetry, proportion, scale, and shadow. Today, the gardens under Alexandra offer so much for the visitor to enjoy; throughout the season there are many garden highlights such as bluebells, delphiniums, camellias and roses.



Enjoy yew hedges, pools, fountains and the soft colours of the many types of roses. Later in the season, exuberant exotic planting in the bottom terrace brings a swathe of vibrant oranges and reds to the garden. Walk around the formal garden enjoying the lawns and borders. Take a stroll down the lime avenue to see The Angel of Fame. Relax on one of the benches taking time to take in the beauty and tranquility of the gardens.



Venture further afield through the woodland and down to the lakes where you can see The Classical Temple and other areas of interest on the way. The lakes are a haven for wildlife, where visitors can look out for butterflies, dragonflies, and birds. Follow the path round the lake to take in the stunning views, and then up through the woods back to the lawns.

The gardens offer a great place to experience the outdoors with plenty to see and enjoy. With open spaces and woodland for exploring and the national collection of Yuccas. We shall be having a guided tour with the Head Gardener.

Visit www.renishaw-hall.co.uk for more details about Renishaw Hall.

Cantley Hall

Cantley Hall is a mainly Georgian house with Victorian additions set in approximately one hundred acres of parkland containing many fine specimen trees. The gardens retain many Victorian features, such as the Fernery, Pineaetum, Arboreatum, and two acre walled kitchen garden, with melon pits, forcing house and heated wall, as well as the restored Foster & Pearson and Messenger Glasshouses.

Cantley Hall is only slightly above sea level so in most years enjoys a mild climate with a low rainfall, on our sandy soil this can be a problem in dry years but has allowed us to grow many plants that would not be considered hardy so far north. As well as retaining many of the historical features of the garden, the restoration and development project has been ongoing since the purchase of the property in 1990 by Lord Graham Kirkham and has allowed Lord Kirkham to embrace his passion for contemporary art which is in evidence throughout the pleasure grounds.

The garden which now covers some forty acres of formal and semiformal areas provides a serene oasis and wildlife haven in what is generally classed as an industrial landscape, once in the grounds you would not know you were so close to Doncaster.

Programme

10.00am – Arrive Renishaw Hall. Refreshments on arrival.
10.30am – Tour of Gardens with the Head Gardener
12.00 – Lunch, self-pay at the restaurant or bring picnic lunch.
1.00pm or earlier depart for Cantley Hall.
2.00pm – Tour of Cantley Gardens with the Head Gardener, PGG member Ian Fretwell.
4.00pm – Refreshments.
4.45pm – Depart for home.

Address and directions

Renishaw Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S21 3WB

By car: Renishaw Hall is only three miles from Junction 30 on the M1, and is well signposted from the junction roundabout. Our post code is S21 3WB for sat nav – please be aware that on some satnavs this postcode will take you to the farm/cricket club adjacent. Please ignore and take the main driveway off Staveley Lane near Eckington.


Postcode: S21 3WB 

Telephone: 01246 432 310

Cost

Cost for the day: £16.00

Booking