“Suddenly we were in open daylight with the great park stretching on either side of us as far as the eye could see. Clumps of majestic trees studded the gentle undulations and green slopes; herds of brown deer were reposing in the shade, with a few wanderers out in the sunshine cropping the cowslips.”
The visitor who wrote these words 150 years ago would find Knebworth Park much the same today. For most of the year the park’s rolling hills and ancient chestnut and lime avenues remain a quiet refuge for grazing herds of Red and Sikka deer. There were deer in Knebworth Park long before the Lytton family arrived in 1490, and they’ve long been cherished and respected neighbours. In the year 1700, Knebworth Park was described as being “stocked with the best deer in the country”. I don’t know if “Wocko” Watkins would make that claim today, but certainly his herd of 150 cut a majestic presence in the early morning mist – the original harts of Hertfordshire!
As mentioned last month, I am pleased to announce that we will be hosting a “Parish Open Day” on Sunday 26th March. All Knebworth Parish residents are invited to visit the House, Gardens and Park for free – and fingers crossed that the daffodils in the Wilderness Garden will be in full bloom! All that we ask is that you enter the Park by the St Mary’s entrance (not Junction 7) and bring something to show that you live in the Parish – a copy of this excellent magazine will do!
We very much look forward to seeing you then,
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com.