by Holly Chapman | 28 May 26 | Commercial Landscaping, Landscape Architecture, News
The 25-year masterplan, Unlocking Highgate Cemetery, and The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust have been awarded £6.7m by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to commence phase one.
Aiming to restore the cemetery to a living landscape that continues to evolve, the masterplan also looks to retain its historic character and significance which has been influenced by international design competitions, public consultants and working in partnership with Camden Council and Historic England.
Carefully managed over the years, the changes will include essential infrastructure work such as improved drainage.
Dr Ian Dungavell, chief executive of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, comments on the announcement:
‘We are thrilled to have the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This grant is a vote of confidence in plans that will preserve what makes Highgate Cemetery special and respect the needs of grave owners, while opening it up to many more people.”
He also says, “we will address the damage caused by climate change, ash dieback and invasive growth, all of which threaten the Cemetery’s landscape and habitats,” while enhancing biodiversity and introducing accessible pathways.
The cemetery has been cared for and looked after by volunteers for 50 years, but with new partnerships comes new activities and the ability to open the cemetery for all.
Designs of the historic site by Highgate Village involve restoring several structures, adding five new buildings alongside new landscaping by Gustafson Porter + Bowman.
by Holly Chapman | 19 Feb 26 | International, Nature & Biodiversity, News
Major ecologically significant landscapes are set to undergo nature restoration after the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme awarded $32m to the projects, with the support from funding organisation, Arcadia.
Underpinned by Arcadia’s long-term commitment to restoring Europe’s land and seas, the eight new projects will help restore wetlands, rivers, forests, grasslands, marine ecosystems and the species they host.
More than 80% of habitats are in poor condition as nature is in alarming decline, making this initiative one of Europe’s more significant landscape and seascape restoration efforts.
Dr David Thomas, Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme director says:
“Arcadia’s generous support allows these projects to move from ideas to action. With this new cohort, we are backing partners who are ready to restore ecosystems at a scale that can make a real difference for nature, climate, and the people who live in these landscapes.”
The restoration projects will take place in Białowieża Forest, Poland, lovak-Hungarian Danube Wilderness in Slovakia and Hungary, Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse in Belgium, Vayots Dzor in Armenia, Gediz Delta in Türkiye, the Mýrar wetlands in Iceland, Central Apennines in Italy and the Yotvingia wetlands in Poland.
Knepp Rewilding says projects such as these “are precisely what’s needed to rebuild ecological health and strengthen resilience for the future.”
Arcadia currently have a total pledge of $138m, including the support for these newly funded projects.
by Holly Chapman | 28 Jul 25 | Grounds Maintenance, News, Sustainability
Blenheim Palace’s head gardener Andy Mills is restoring the formal gardens, including the Grade II listed Temple of Flora which was originally built in the late 18th century.
After removing overgrown shrubbery, the Temple of Flora is now more accessible to visitors, while Mills plans to use it as a focal point of another garden room, as it was once intended.
Likely designed by Sir William Chambers, Mills’ is still researching through the palace archives for its initial location.
Mills says “the idea is to take it back to how it used to look,” adding:
“It’s very much an evolution – I couldn’t give a definitive plant list of how it will look, but with climate change it gives us an opportunity to do something really unusual and different for Blenheim.”
The formal gardens at Blenheim Palace are open to the public all year round.
by Aidan Williams | 22 Aug 24 | Commercial Landscaping, Landscape Architecture, News
The Royal Parks has marked the culmination of Greenwich Park Revealed, a project spanning several years that has restored the park’s unique 17th-century landscape.
The efforts have also created new learning and volunteering spaces, hosted more free events and community activities, and enhanced biodiversity.
The charity has funded the £12m project alongside a grant from the ‘Parks for People’ programme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Community Fund.
Andrew Scattergood, chief executive of The Royal Parks charity, says: “Greenwich Park Revealed has been years in the making, from the seed of an idea over twenty years ago to the realisation of this vision in 2024.
“Thanks to the support of National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage and Community Fund, The Royal Parks charity has been able to accomplish the biggest project in its history and provide a better experience for all visitors.”
Previously at risk of being lost forever, the charity, which manages London’s eight Royal Parks, has restored Greenwich Park’s 17th-century landscape to its former glory.
This has involved re-establishing the ‘Grand Ascent’ – giant grass terraces created in the 1660s, that had almost disappeared due to heavy erosion.
The declining tree avenues have also been re-planted, and the slumped ‘parterre’ banks framing the Queen’s Field have been re-instated.
The project has futureproofed Greenwich Park to provide better facilities for visitors.
The improved viewing platform at the General Wolfe statue viewpoint has transformed this once-congested area into a larger, more accessible piazza-style public space to host community cultural events.
This dramatic history is played out for visitors through new information boards and over the coming year, these will be accompanied by a new interactive app and a set of audio guides.
The project has transformed part of a commercial contractors’ yard into a beautiful, landscaped public zone.
A new, sustainably built Learning Centre for outdoor education provides a safe and inspiring space for schools and community groups to discover the natural environment with nature trails, a dipping pond and a wildlife meadow.
Clare Lanes, park manager at Greenwich Park, says: “It’s wonderful to welcome everyone back to these much-loved and much-improved spaces in Greenwich Park.
“We have one of the best views in London, and now everyone will be able to enjoy it in a more accessible way. We hope everyone will enjoy visiting, whether for a walk, a coffee, or to uncover the fascinating stories of the park.”
