Tucked away within the formal layout of the gardens at Townhill Park House, the Herb Garden is a charming space that speaks to both utility and beauty. Originally created in the early 20th century during the estate's transformation under Lord and Lady Swaythling, the garden was part of the broader redesign by renowned landscape designer Gertrude Jekyll.

Jekyll’s vision for Townhill Park combined bold structure with richly textured planting. The Herb Garden, often overlooked in grander estates, was given special attention here. Designed as a formal, symmetrical plot enclosed by low hedging, it featured traditional culinary and medicinal herbs—lavender, rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, and others—arranged for visual appeal as much as practical use. It served not only the kitchen but also complemented the sensory experience of the surrounding gardens.

After the estate passed out of private hands, the Herb Garden, like much of the grounds, fell into neglect. Many of the original features became overgrown or were lost entirely, and the once-orderly planting gave way to bramble and weed.

Restoration work in recent years, led by dedicated volunteers and heritage gardeners, has sought to recreate the spirit of the original design. Archival research, including plans and photographs from the early 1900s, helped guide the revival. Low box hedges were replanted to define the geometric layout, and a carefully selected palette of herbs—chosen both for historical accuracy and their resilience—was reintroduced.

Today, the Herb Garden is once again a thriving part of Townhill Park’s landscape. It serves as a living link to the estate’s Edwardian past, offering visitors the same textures, scents, and seasonal changes that would have once delighted the Swaythling family and their guests. It also stands as a testament to the value of garden restoration in preserving cultural and horticultural heritage.