The Garden in Summer
Myddelton House was home to E A Bowles (1865 – 1954) who devoted much of his life to the creation of the Garden. As an enthusiastic collector and accomplished plantsman Bowles discovered and selected many plants, in particular unusual varieties, many of which can still be seen in the Garden today.
After his death, the Garden fell into disrepair and some of the plants were lost. However, since 1984 Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the E A Bowles of Myddelton House Society have been restoring the 4-acre Gardens in the original style of Bowles. The Gardens are also home to a prized collection of award-winning Bearded Iris.
Click to download our current leaflet.
Archaelogical Evaluations at Myddelton House
Archaelogical evaluations at Myddelton House have unearthed structural remains - possibly part of Bowling Green House, a house which was demolished in the 1820s. A more recent evaluation in March 2005 revealed some interesting materials such as dressed limestone and a large amount of bottle glass - one part may have belonged to an onion-shaped bottle of c.1680-1720!
Click here for a summary of this report.
Please note, many of our leaflets are available in large print word format, please contact the Information Service on 01992 702 200 if you would like a copy.
A National Collection of Award-Winning Iris
Myddelton House Gardens received a provisional award for a NCCPG (National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens) for its collection of Iris. These are all Dykes winners which is the highest award that is given to Iris. Named after a famous Iris breeder, the awards started in 1927. There are UK, USA and Australian Dykes medals awarded. At Myddelton there are UK and USA winners. The collection is not yet complete. Over the last couple of years the collection has been lifted and replanted and can now be viewed in chronological order so that the development of the Iris over the years can be seen.
E A Bowles of Myddelton House Society
The E A Bowles of Myddelton House Society was formed in 1992 to
promote knowledge and appreciation of E A Bowles and his garden at Myddelton House.
The Society is a registered charity (No: 1020908) and helps to maintain and restore the garden in the style of E A Bowles. Volunteers work under the direction of the Gardeners. Nearly half a century after his death, Bowles’ name lives on in countless gardens: Bowles’ Black Viola, Bowles’ Golden Grass, Bowles’ Golden Sedge, “… a very beautiful sedge, with golden striped leaves, another of my finds in the Norfolk Broads” – E A Bowles. The Society is developing an archive of photographs, library materials and artefacts, which they are happy to share with interested students.
Two Open Days are hosted in Myddelton House Gardens in the Spring, and lectures are held in Myddelton House twice a year. Members receive three newsletters annually and free week day entrance to the Gardens are available after your first paid visit of the year.
There are many different plants in the gardens and each month key plants of interest are highlighted for visitors. Information sheets are provided to visitors at reception along with a
map of the gardens (click on the word map to download). Plants of interest sheets can also be downloaded below for each month, just click on the month below to open a page (you will need acrobat reader to see these sheets).
(Please note this list is currently being built and will be added to each month)