Bradenham Manor - The "Wilderness"

The "wilderness" area of the gardens consists of over half the gardens. It is made up of a largely wooded area intersected by 2 level broad rides running roughly North to South and 3 rides West/East up steep slopes. The rides consist of carefully mown grassy areas where wild flowers such as primroses, violets and cowslips grow in profusion during spring. Numerous wild flowers bloom during the summer months.

Originally the rides were probably edged by yew hedges. A few of the original yew trees still exist and some of these have recently been cut hard back in an attempt to begin restoration of the original hedges. In 2009 a start was made on planting new yew trees around one large section of the area.

Wild life abounds in this quiet area including butterflies, pheasants, red kites, muntjac deer, and rabbits. There is also a sizeable badger sett whose residents cause severe damage to the Grand Lawn in the autumn by digging up the turf looking for worms and grubs.