A rare diversion on the Lea Valley Walk is at Enfield Lock to visit Myddelton House, the HQ of the Lee Valley Park Authority.

Good news in this credit crunch is that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given £477,000 to the garden of Myddelton House.

Edward Bowles, born at the house in 1865, created the garden which includes rare plants and unique features such as Enfield’s market cross.

Descendant Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles has planted a silver birch to mark the good news and Bryan Hewitt who has been gardner there for 25 years is delighted. 

The kitchen garden will be open for the first time and the stables will become a cafe.

I am delighted to hear that admission to the restored garden will be free which should encourage people to visit often and see the changing garden. At present an entrance ticket costs £3.

A 2012 completion date maybe?

See page 97.