Speaker: Joe Whitehead, Head Gardener at Burghley 

Burghley House, built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth 1, is one of the grandest surviving houses of the 16th Century and a wonderful example of the great Elizabethan ‘prodigy’ houses built to honour the Queen.

Sitting in a Capability Brown landscape, it has two main gardens, the Sculpture Garden with many sculptures and views over the great lake and the enchanting Garden of Surprises inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology, astronomy and Classical civilisations. Based on original designs by the 1^stLord Burghley the garden is hidden from the outside, waiting to reveal their surprises to those who enter.  

Our speaker, Joe Whitehead, has been the Head Gardener at Burghley for 10 years. He is a passionate horticulturist, coming from a long line of green-fingered experts and has worked in some of the most exciting and challenging gardens in the UK, including Broughton Grange, Salle Park and Ravingham.

During his time at Burghley the 46 acres of gardens have evolved extensively, and Joe will tell us about the history, the current management and the plans for the future of the gardens.

This should be a most informative and interesting evening. It is hoped to follow up Joe’s talk with a visit to Burghley in the future.

The lecture will be followed by the usual tea/coffee and cake.

It is essential that we know how many cakes we will have on the evening, so please let Alison know (07425138814) if you can bake a cake for this meeting.

Guests are welcome at a cost of £3.00