Helmingham Hall in Suffolk has been presented with a prestigious national award in appreciation of its spectacular gardens.
The stately home won this year’s Historic Houses Association Garden of the Year award, sponsored by Christies, and was handed a special commemorative plaque today, Friday June 30.
The grade 1 listed gardens have been owned by the Tollemache family since it was built in 1490 and have been lovingly designed by Lady Tollemache, a landscape designer and gardener, and her dedicated team.
She said she was thrilled the team’s hard work had been recognised.
“We were actually told before Christmas that we had won and had to keep it deadly secret,” she said. “We were absolutely overwhelmed, thrilled and excited to get the award – really happy.
“And we weren’t expecting it at all either.
“It is not just me and my husband it is a whole team who work here every day, all day doing wonderful things, creating and keeping it going.
“It has been a very exciting day, we are all totally exhausted now.”
Lady Tollemache said she hadn’t yet made her mind up where the award plaque would go in the gardens.
“We will have a look around the garden and discuss it with the family,” she said.
“We will put it where everyone can see it though.”
Head gardener Roy Balaam, who started working at the gardens as a 14-year-old schoolboy, was also presented with a long service medal by RHS President Sir Nicholas Bacon for his 61 years of service.
“It was really nice for Roy to get that recognition,” said Lady Tollemache
“He is a fountain of knowledge.”
Orlando Rock, Christie’s UK chairman, said the Garden of the Year award recognised the high level of commitment and dedication involved in creating and maintaining gardens as impressive as Helmingham Hall’s.
He said: “The gardens at Helmingham – reflecting the inspired vision of the well-known garden designer Xa Tollemache – are incredibly deserving of this coveted award.
“We hope this national prize will bring further visitors to enjoy this remarkable place.”
The gardens are open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.
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