For this issue, we travelled to Lyveden, an area of beautiful countryside just outside Oundle. It is here that the incomplete garden lodge, Lyveden New Bield was built in the late 16th century, and still stands now.

Lyveden New Bield was begun by Sir Thomas Tresham in 1595 to symbolise his Catholic faith, clearly shown by the elaborate frieze, which depicts the story of the Passion of Christ, and the religious scriptures which adorn the top. Building this garden folly was a risky endeavour for Sir Thomas, as the then reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, was a devout Protestant. After years of heavy fines and imprisonment imposed on Sir Thomas due to his son’s involvement in the Gunpowder Plot, Sir Thomas was left bankrupt, and the garden lodge (or New Bield, as it later became known) remained incomplete when he died in 1605. Thanks to its isolated position, it has been left virtually unaltered for the last 400 years.

In 1922 it was donated to the National Trust and has been protected from the interventions of the 20th century. In the 1990s the Trust began a long and gradual process of restoring the gardens to their historical origins. Today, Tresham’s work can be appreciated and acknowledged as a rare and remarkable survival of Elizabethan garden design.

To experience the full delights that the English countryside has to offer, we suggest cycling from Oundle to Lyveden New Bield, a ride of approximately four miles. Travel along Benefield Road towards the Oundle Golf Club, turning left onto Harley Way, which will lead you straight to the National Trust-owned area.

Even from a distance, you can clearly see the garden lodge; it is a beautiful structure which fits perfectly with the surrounding scenery. We recommend exploring the Elizabethan garden, with its spiral mounts, hand-dug moats, a beautiful orchard containing many old varieties of apples and pears, and a wildflower meadow. The spiral ‘snail’ mounts offer a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside and the garden lodge itself. In the visitor information room, there are plenty of enthusiastic and knowledgeable local volunteers who are more than happy to give you more information about the site, surrounding walks, and upcoming events.

There are many walks in and around Lyveden New Bield, the most notable being the Lyveden Way. This path is a nine mile circular walk between Lyveden and Wadenhoe, travelling along the boundary of the Tresham deer park, as well as exploring the historic woodlands of the Rockingham Forest. There are also other paths to choose, travelling to villages such as Lower Benefield and Sudborough, all of them offering a wonderful opportunity to experience the surrounding countryside.

There are also numerous upcoming events at Lyveden New Bield, organised by the National Trust. The most notable events include Sunday Garden Tours hosted every Sunday from 3 May to 4 October, and Walk on the Wild Side, a tour around the garden providing an insight to the wildlife in Lyveden New Bield, hosted at 2pm on the Saturdays of 13 June, 11 July, 8 August and 30 October.

For more information on Lyveden, its surrounding area and upcoming events, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyveden