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Behind the scenes: Wild Bank

Behind-the-scenes access in the run up to the grand opening of Shakespeare's New Place in Summer 2016.

A figure draws aside a curtain to reveal a gardener about to plant something in a bank of flowers.

Today we’d like to take you off into the Wild Bank at the bottom of the Great Garden.

The Wild Bank won’t look quite so wild when you arrive at New Place as it did when we first came to clear it over a year ago. It had become really overgrown and the tangle was up at head height! It was so high, in fact, that it had completely obscured the stone pillar that stands in the middle. It was erected to denote a market on the site in times gone by, and it stands a good six feet high!

A huge amount of work from our gardening team has gone into every aspect of Shakespeare’s New Place, and the Wild Bank represented a particular challenge. We’re pleased to announce that the team is going to grow, with two new gardening apprenticeships on offer: find out more here.

The Wild Bank is now clear, and beautifully planted with all sorts of species mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays.


Shakespeare’s New Place opens Summer 2016. Come and walk in Shakespeare's footsteps and meet the man behind the works in a fascinating new exhibition. Discover beautiful gardens and specially-commissioned artworks.

Find out more about Shakespeare's New Place.

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