Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park

Kingston Maurward House was built in 1720 for George Pitt in the classic Palladian style that so characterised this period.

The contemporary parkland and pleasure gardens were laid out in the style popularised by Capability Brown. Simplicity was the hallmark of the gardens which consisted of rolling turf, carefully placed groups of trees, a lake and a lakeside temple.

The Gardens today are a survival from several periods. The lovely 35 acre formal gardens were created between 1915 and 1922 within the existing framework of the 18th Century Parkland setting. The gardens have been sympathetically restored using photographs from the 1930’s retaining the best features of the old and introducing new ones. They consist of a matrix of small gardens each with its own theme, tree trails, lakeside walks and a delightful walled garden.

The Animal Park is a firm favourite with children and home to an interesting collection of animals – small medium and large. Children can feed and cuddle some of the animals and there is also a large play area . The Visitor Centre provides information on the Animal Park and Gardens and has a wide variety of plants and gifts for sale.