Large parts of the garden are only accessible on grass paths, which are very prone to wear from November to March and it is essential to close parts of the garden during those months. Whilst Ralph Dutton occasionally opened his garden to visitors, he never envisaged when the garden was laid out, that his creation would be so successful that 150,000 visitors a year would one day want to appreciate his vision.
Whilst there is some grass growth during the colder months, it is limited, and a few hundred feet rapidly turn a grass sward into a muddy mess, as can be observed in certain parts of the garden if they are open at that time. This takes many weeks to recover and, leaving aside the safety hazards, it usually results in having to close large parts of the garden in April and May even though there are plants and flowers to be seen in those areas.
By restricting access to certain parts of the garden, when there is little botanical interest to be seen in the closed areas, we not only preserve the grass, but ensure that it is in good enough condition to sustain the large number of visitors in the spring and summer.
We are currently implementing plans to change the planting in those parts of the garden accessible on hard surfaces, to provide areas of late autumn and winter interest. An example of this is the winter border on the south side of the walled garden, which looks splendid from November through to February.
At certain pinch points in the garden where access is needed all year round, and where it is appropriate, we will be installing paved areas. An example of this is around the sundial at the western end of the Long Walk.