National Botanic Garden of Wales
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Middleton Park sits within the Middleton Estate and is registered Grade II* on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. The garden surrounds Middleton Hall and was created between 1789 and 1815. The grounds include dramatic features, including historic features such as the Double Walled Garden, Stable Block, Ice House, parkland, cascades and five restored lakes.
A new National Botanic Garden of Wales was conceived in the mid-1990s as a national botanic garden for the 21st Century to be dedicated to the research and conservation of biodiversity, sustainability, lifelong learning and the enjoyment of the visitors. The centrepiece of the Garden is The Great Glasshouse, designed by Foster + Partners, which opened in 1999.
To support the park’s transformation, we first advised on the renovation and reconstruction of the historic structures. This included an assessment of the water features - both their structural condition and how they worked - and the preparation of designs for their restoration. We were then asked to produce an engineering feasibility study for the proposed restoration of the historic Regency landscape. Working alongside landscape architects Walshe Associates and quantity surveyor Parry & Dawkin, the study explored possibilities for the restoration of the former lakes, earth dams, cascades, and other historic structures, and played a key role in the successful Round 1 funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Our collation and analysis of historic records, and dialogue with the former Panel Engineer and with Natural Resources Wales allowed a history of the water systems to be established which led to a thorough exploration of potential options and a preferred option identified.
Client: National Botanic Garden of Wales