Mells Park, Grade II listed park and garden in Mells, England
Mells Park is a 140-hectare estate featuring formal gardens, extensive woodlands with mature oak, lime, and beech trees, and terraces retained by freestone walls. The landscape combines cultivated garden spaces with more natural woodland areas that run throughout the grounds.
The estate originated in the 17th century as a deer park created by the Horner family, who acquired Mells Manor from the Crown in 1543. In the 20th century, the gardens were redesigned and the main house was reconstructed to form the grounds as they appear today.
Park House, designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1925, showcases neoclassical architecture alongside gardens created in partnership with Gertrude Jekyll. The rooms and grounds reflect the refined design approach of these two renowned architects.
The entrance features a 19th-century gate lodge that directs visitors along the main driveway toward Park House. When exploring the grounds, expect varied pathways and allow adequate time for walking through both garden and woodland sections.
The property served as a secret meeting place for negotiations between the African National Congress and the National Party from 1987 to 1990. These talks contributed to major political changes, a chapter in its history that few visitors know about.
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