Berrington Hall
Near Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0DW
Berrington Hall near Leominster is a National Trust estate where Capability Brown's last landscape design surrounds a Henry Holland house, with a ha-ha, parkland and Berrington Pool.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Berrington Hall?
Berrington Hall is the place to see how Capability Brown finished his career. The park around the house is his last landscape design, and walking it shows the classic Brown ideas in action: open grass running up to the house, a lake with an island, and long views across the Herefordshire countryside.
A good route starts at the house and works outwards. Look for the ha-ha, the sunken wall that keeps livestock out while leaving the view open; it was carefully repaired by local craftsmen in the late twentieth century, and it is a useful idea for anyone with a garden that borders fields. From there the parkland leads down towards Berrington Pool, the lake and island, which is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so it is worth taking binoculars for the birds. The National Trust also cares for the gardens close to the house, including the walled garden, so check its current garden guide to see what is in season and which areas are open during any restoration work.
Inside, the house was designed by Henry Holland for Thomas Harley between 1778 and 1781. It looks plain from outside, but the rooms are delicate, and the below-stairs areas include a Victorian laundry and a Georgian dairy, which tie in nicely with the working side of the estate. Gardeners who enjoy history will get the most from a visit, but the parkland walk also suits families and anyone who simply wants a gentle stroll with wide views.
What to see
- Capability Brown's last landscape design, seen from the house and the park.
- The ha-ha, restored by local craftsmen in the late twentieth century.
- Berrington Pool, the lake and island, now a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- The walled garden near the house, cared for by the National Trust.
- Below-stairs rooms including a Victorian laundry and Georgian dairy.
Berrington Hall through the year
- spring
- New growth across the parkland and fresh green views make spring a good time for a first walk round Brown's design.
- summer
- Long days suit the full parkland circuit down to the pool, and the gardens near the house are at their fullest.
- autumn
- The parkland trees colour up and the lake is good for birdwatching.
- winter
- The bare trees show the shape of Brown's landscape clearly; check the National Trust site for winter opening.
The story behind the garden
The Cornewall family held Berrington from 1386 until 1775, when they sold it to Thomas Harley, a banker and former Lord Mayor of London. Harley commissioned Henry Holland to build the present house between 1778 and 1781, and Capability Brown laid out the park, his last landscape design. Harley gave the house to his daughter Anne and her husband George Rodney, and it stayed with the Rodney family for 95 years.
In 1901 the Manchester businessman Frederick Cawley, later Lord Cawley, bought the estate. In 1957 the 3rd Baron Cawley transferred it to the Treasury, which passed it to the National Trust; Lady Cawley lived there until her death in 1978. The ha-ha was restored in the late twentieth century, and the National Trust has continued to work on the gardens.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Garden-history fans, Capability Brown followers and walkers who like open parkland with a lake.
- Getting there
- Berrington Hall is about 3 miles north of Leominster in Herefordshire.
- Before you go
- Garden restoration work can change routes and access, so look at the National Trust access information first. Check the National Trust website for current opening times and tickets.
Source: Wikipedia: Berrington Hall
Questions about visiting Berrington Hall
Is Berrington Hall National Trust?
Yes. Berrington Hall has been cared for by the National Trust since 1957, when the Cawley family passed it to the Treasury, which handed it on to the Trust. Members get in free.
Did Capability Brown design Berrington Hall?
Brown designed the park, and it is his last landscape design. The house itself was designed by Henry Holland for Thomas Harley and built between 1778 and 1781.
What is the ha-ha at Berrington?
A ha-ha is a sunken wall that keeps animals out of the garden without blocking the view. Berrington's ha-ha was restored by local craftsmen in the late twentieth century and is one of the estate's notable features.
Where is Berrington Hall?
Berrington Hall is in Herefordshire, about 3 miles north of Leominster. It makes an easy stop if you are touring the Welsh Marches or the Herefordshire countryside.
Garden features
Location
Near Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0DW
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