Farnborough Hall Park - The restoration plan
Farnborough Hall is a registered historic parkland and rare example of a ferme ornee. The National Trust endowed Farnborough Hall in the 1960s and is now embarking on a restoration and conservation programme with Natural England to transform the Parkland back to the 18th-century style, opening up the views and vistas.
A brief history
Farnborough Hall is a rare and very special example of a ferme ornee (ornamental farm), created in the 18th century by William Holbech II. The estate was passed to the National Trust in 1960 with the endowment of Geoffery Holbech. Early 18th-century design saw the transition from rigid symmetry and formality towards, a looser, more natural and informal style. However, this was also the period where the owners of smaller properties were able to make their mark and be influential.
A partnership for the future
The National Trust has been gradually restoring the property since the 1960s and has now entered into a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement with Natural England in 2013.
The aim is to deliver significant environmental benefits:
- for wildlife,
- the historic environment
- and resource protection.
By embarking on a Parkland conservation and restoration programme, it's hoped that the Parkland views will be restored back to 18th-century design.
Views and vistas are fundamental to the designed landscape at Farnborough, with shorted internal views framed capturing the pastoral idyll, ornamented with garden buildings, cascades and obelisks; circuit walks along shaded avenues (commonly known as The Terrace), beside water, lakes and cascades. The Terrace Walk allowed wide, long distance views across the landscape and it's our ambition to provide this experience to our visitors and the local community.
If you would like to get involved in the project in any way and join our volunteer team, email Farnborough hall for more information.