Transforming the Bishop’s Garden

This summer has seen major transformation in the Bishop’s Garden, one of Wolfson’s most beautiful natural spaces. The centrepiece of the work is a new croquet lawn, built to replace the old one which was relocated to make way for the forthcoming Garden Building.

The new lawn was turfed at the beginning of June and, thanks to the careful attention of the Grounds team, successfully established through a period of drought and an extended heatwave prior to the hosepipe ban coming into effect over the summer. Remarkably, the lawn received no irrigation during this time yet is now thriving, a testament to the dedication and expertise of the team. The surrounding areas were reseeded in early September and have since flourished with the welcome return of rain.

Around the garden, borders have been dug out and replanted, bringing new colour and life to the space. The Yew hedges have been pruned, which is encouraging strong new growth. The trained apple and pear trees were also summer-pruned following an abundant fruit harvest, contributing to the garden’s beautifully cared-for appearance ahead of the late-summer wedding season.

The Pergola, one of the Bishop’s Garden’s most recognisable features, has been completely rebuilt by Sol from the Maintenance team, who also designed the new structure. Constructed from treated oak to complement the existing garden shelter, the new Pergola retains the elegant shape of the original while providing greater strength and longevity. It was a particular challenge to preserve the mature Wisteria growing around the structure; through careful teamwork, the Pergola was replaced without damaging the plant. The result is a feature that already feels established and when the Wisteria blooms next spring, it will once again be a highlight of the garden.

The project also included important safety and structural improvements. Steps near the Pergola were levelled to remove tripping hazards, and part of the raised rockery retaining wall was re-laid.

Reflecting on the project, Wolfson’s new Head Gardener, Olivia Keylock, said:

“This has been a fantastic opportunity to refresh and improve one of Wolfson’s most beautiful spaces. I’m very proud of the teamwork and care that’s gone into every part of the project, from the new croquet lawn to the Pergola. It’s wonderful to see the garden thriving and ready to be enjoyed by the College community.”

The team already has plans for further improvements in the spring when the garden will be in bloom and looking its finest, so there’s plenty more to look forward to as the seasons change.