Historic garden design reappears at Beechwood Park during summer drought

Recent dry weather has revealed a hidden piece of Beechwood Park's history, bringing the outline of a long-lost parterre back into view. Drone photography and historic images show a remarkable connection between today's landscape and its past.

 

A hidden piece of Beechwood Park's history has emerged from the school's grounds after recent dry weather revealed the outline of a long-lost formal garden.

Parchmarks visible across the school's lawns have uncovered the shape of a former parterre, offering a rare glimpse into the historic landscape of the Markyate-based preparatory school.

The distinctive patterns, visible from the air, were identified through drone photography and compared with historical records, including an old postcard and images featured in The Beechwood Companion by Tim Rowe.

The findings reveal striking similarities between the modern-day parchmarks and the original garden design.

Beechwood Park sits within a landscape designed by the celebrated 18th-century landscape architect Capability Brown, whose work can also be found at some of Britain's most famous estates, including Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House and Longleat.



Recent hot, dry conditions across the country have led to similar historic features reappearing at a number of heritage sites, as differences in soil depth and moisture retention reveal traces of long-buried structures and landscaping.

Tom Robinson, Head of Grounds at Beechwood Park, said: 'We've all been fascinated by the historic garden features emerging at some of the country's great estates this summer, so to find evidence of Beechwood Park's own parterre appearing in our lawns was incredibly exciting. Seeing the drone photographs alongside historic images has given us a remarkable glimpse into the past and a greater appreciation of the landscape we're privileged to look after today.'

The discovery has generated significant interest among the Beechwood Park community, offering a unique opportunity to explore another chapter in the history of the estate.

The drone imagery, viewed alongside historic photographs and illustrations, demonstrates how elements of the original design can still be traced today, despite decades of change to the landscape.

For Beechwood Park, the reveal is a timely reminder that history is not confined to archives and textbooks. It remains embedded within the grounds themselves, waiting for the right conditions to emerge.

August 2026