Common Ground’s
Rules for Local Distinctiveness

Hill Close Victorian Gardens, Warwick

Hill Close Victorian Gardens comprise a group of delightful hedged fruit, vegetable and flower gardens on the edge of the town, originally provided for shopkeepers who lived over their shops and did not have any gardens. They were once a common feature, now rare, and these gardens almost disappeared too having become overgrown and earmarked for development. Thanks to the hard work of the Friends of Hill Close Gardens, a trust has been formed and their value has been recognised, some of the summerhouses have been listed and the gardens themselves registered as Grade ll* by English Heritage. It took volunteers seven years to restore the gardens, but in 2004 the trust was successful in gaining funds to turn the gardens into a resource centre, open to schoolchildren and others. It will enable them to restore the buildings, create paths and employ a full-time gardener. But much more match-funding is needed. For further information see www . hillclosegardens . warwick . co . uk or e-mail info [at] hillclosegardens . warwick . co . uk