Benington Lordship
Tranquil garden park known for its verdant country landscape, castle ruins and contemporary sculpture.
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7BS
Facilities
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Accessible parking
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Free parking
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Garden only
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Access statement available
- Guide dogs welcome
The garden at Benington Lordship sits on an ancient fortified site which has been occupied since Saxon times. What you see today are the earthworks of a medieval motte and bailey castle and the ruins of a Norman keep, now a listed monument.
The gardens were initially laid out in the early 20th-century and surround the manor house, the core of which was built around 1700.
The magnificent neo-norman folly, comprising a gatehouse, summer house and adjoining curtain wall, was completed in 1838 by James Pulham of Broxbourne.
The west wing of the house was added in 1905 by the present owner’s family with an Edwardian verandah which takes advantage of the glorious views over the park and surrounding farmland.
Refreshments are only available on event days as specified on our website.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Opening Times and Events at Benington Lordship Gardens
Benington Lordship Gardens offers a variety of seasonal attractions and events throughout the year. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times, events, and conditions for visiting.
General Information
- Location: Benington, 4 miles east of Stevenage.
- Parking: Free parking is available. During the Chilli Festival, parking is provided in fields behind the gardens.
- Accessibility: Information for disabled visitors is available. Blue Badge holders should use the main entrance off the village green.
- Pets: No dogs are allowed on the premises.
Seasonal Attractions
- Snowdrops: Open daily from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 23 February 2025, 11am-4pm. Admission: Adults £8 (£9 on Sundays), Children under 16 £4, Children under 3 free.
- Charity Open Day for NGS: Sunday 22 March 2026, 2-5pm. Admission: Adults £9, Children under 16 £4, Children under 3 free.
- Plant Fairs Roadshow: Sunday 14 June 2026, 11am-4pm. Admission: Adults £10, Children under 16 £4, Children under 3 free.
- Benington Floral Festival & Open Gardens: Saturday 27 June & Sunday 28 June 2026, 12pm-5pm. Admission: Adults £10, Children under 16 £4, Children under 3 free.
Special Events
- Chilli Festival: Held during the August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 29, Sunday 30, and Monday 31 August 2026), 10am-5pm. Admission: Adults £12, Children under 16 £4, Children under 12 free.
Additional Information
- Refreshments: Available in the tea room during February and in the parish hall on Sundays in February. Refreshments are also available during events.
- Group Visits: Pre-booked groups can arrange tea and coffee outside normal opening hours.
For more details on specific events and attractions, refer to the respective sections above.
Historic Houses members visit for free except during events.
Adults £9.00 (£10 on Sundays in February)
Plant fair & Floral Festival £10
Chilli Festival (HH members not free) £12
For pre-booked parties, outside normal opening hours, refreshments can be arranged when making a booking. Please email via our website.
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Access statement available
- Guide dogs welcome
Getting here
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7BS
The garden is located four miles east of Stevenage in the village of Benington, next to the church. Tourist signs are posted off the A602 between Stevenage and Hertford and A507 between Buntingford and Baldock.
You can take the train to Stevenage, Watton at Stone or Hertford North and a taxi to the gardens.
The garden is famous for its display of naturalised snowdrops around the moat and inner bailey. In spring, following the snowdrops, the garden is covered in swathes of scilla byzantica, daffodils, fritillaries and flowering shrubs and trees.
This is followed by the full summer glory of roses and the spectacular double herbaceous borders. In addition there are three spring fed pools which flow into two large ponds, one of which is managed as a wildlife haven.
A walled kitchen garden is home to a small nursery and vegetable plots.
One of our visitors recently brought a tortoise to tea in our tea room. We welcome all kinds of guests at Benington Lordship and hope you enjoy your visit.
Historic Houses nearby
Stanstead Bury
Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 8JZ
Knebworth House, Park & Gardens
Knebworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6PY
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