Myddelton House Gardens
Some photos from a 7th February 2026 visit to the gardens of Myddelton House, near Bulls Cross, Enfield, led by Lynne.
The garden was developed by Edward Augustus Bowles, a self-taught horticulturist and one of the great gardeners of the 20th century. He became an expert on many plants, and particularly the Crocus, which led him to be dubbed “The Crocus King”.
Myddelton House was built for Henry Carrington Bowles and completed in 1818. He passed the house on to his son, who in turn passed it on to his nephew, Henry Carrington Bowles Treacher. Treacher assumed the name Bowles by Royal Licence in order to inherit the estate.
It was named Myddelton House in honour of Sir Hugh Myddelton, an engineer who created the New River, part of which flows through the grounds. The New River is an artificial waterway, opened in 1613 to supply London with fresh drinking water taken from Chadwell and Amwell Springs near Ware in Hertfordshire. It now terminates at the East Reservoir in Stoke Newington, now known as Woodberry Wetlands – a nature reserve managed by the London Wildlife Trust.
The New River Walk
(above) Photos by Jill S.
Photos by Lorraine
The New River in fast flow
a teasle head
The Rock Garden
(above) Photos by Madeleine