Packwood House
Packwood House is a timber-framed Tudor house rendered with concrete in the early 19th century.
There are beautiful herbaceous borders in the formal gardens.
The East Garden is enclosed to the north by mid-17th century outbuildings – look out for the heating flues for the fruit trees on the south walls.
The South Garden has 17th century gazebos on each of the four corners of the garden, with the south-east building restored by Baron Ash.
The Sunken garden with its central rectangular lily pond was added in 1930s.
The Yew Garden is visible on 1723 estate plans with the largest yew tree dating from 1600s. At the far end is a circular path leading up to the top of the mount which is crowned by a yew, the ‘Master’ or ‘Pinnacle of the Temple’. The lower topiary garden was originally an orchard and was replanted with yew trees by George Arton at the end of the 19th century.
Stroll around the lake and back through the woods to the house – there were lovely bluebells on my visit in early May.
Don’t miss the restored kitchen garden, planted with vegetables, fruit and flowers for the house.
If you have time, look round the house. Fascinating collection of 16th and 17th artefacts although some of the tapestries were stolen in 1990s including one called ‘Africa’. There’s a digital reconstruction of it in the Hall.
Please note that opening times vary for the house and the Yew Garden – some areas can be closed at short notice.
National Trust Members visit for free.
INFORMATION
Address: Solihull, Warwickshire, B94 6AT View map Phone: 01564 782024 Length of visit: 2-3 hours
Dog friendly:
No
Cafe:
No
Car park:
Yes
House open:
Yes
House open - occasionally:
No
Family friendly:
Yes
Toilets:
Yes
Wheelchair - partly:
Yes
For information on opening times and to buy tickets: Click here
