Update from the Bohemia Walled Garden Association. July 2009

Although several years have passed since these pictures were taken of the walled garden, nothing much has changed. Certainly, nothing has improved as far as the material condition of the walled structure is concerned, and the interior growing space is unrecognisable as a useful, horticultural site.

Unfortunately, neglect and the absence of human activity have allowed this site to revert to its natural state; the nettles, brambles, and young trees form an impenetrable shoulder-high mass. An added worry is the size and weight of the branches that now overhang the walls from the nearby trees. Some of these have been trimmed back by the Friends of Summerfields Wood, but the largest branches will require more than the energy and enthusiasm of local volunteers using hand tools.

To tackle the job of structural restoration and to create a walled garden that is again a scene of horticultural activity, a group of local people have formed the "Bohemia Walled Garden Association". The first meeting was held in January 2009. The BWGA is now a fully constituted organisation and is working with determination and perseverance to make this walled garden into a real community asset. Hastings Borough Council, the owners of the site, have recognised the commitment that the group has shown. The Council is keen to see this site restored and offers its cooperation and advice.

The "Bohemia Walled Garden Association" is presently seeking funding from various sources and has had some success. But much more needs to be found. If anyone would like to send a donation or learn more about what the BWGA is doing, please write to: [email protected]

The pictures below are a little out-of-date but some more pictures and a couple of videos have been added here

The walled garden located at O/S map reference TQ 80950975 was built after construction of Bohemia House

click here for bigger picture

It was constructed on sloping ground and on the northwest, northeast, and southeast are substantial retaining walls constructed outside the walled garden in order to retain the hillside

The walled garden is constructed of brick being 234' long and 84' wide and just over 12' high without any buttresses. The 1' 2" wide wall is constructed in English Bond style and is topped by a sandstone plinth.( The Buildings of Sussex Nicholas Pesvner Glossary page 649) The external southwest side of the walled garden is attractively faced in sandstone. 

From ground level the 45 courses of bricks making a total of about 105,000 bricks used above ground.  The current entrance is located on the northwestern edge of the long side and there is an indication of a bricked up door on the centre of the north East Side. Both on the inside and outside walls there are hundreds of metal eyes once used for climbing plants. At the centre of the long wall adjacent to the pond there is an indication of a pump on the 1873 map. This is likely to have been a source of water for the garden and may have been the reason for the construction of the pond.  On the north side of garden at the centre of the wall is a blocked up entrance that is likely to have given access to a ramp up to a higher area of the garden. The 1873 map also shows a short flight of steps up the embankment near to the existing entrance door. This feature still remains covered in bramble and ivy.

The very attractive sandstone facing to the wall

Obscured by ivy on the outside, this damaged section shows how the sandstone facing was effected (Victorian Stone Cladding?)