Behind the borders of cathedral's 'secret gardens'

The 'secret gardens' was a project by the Dean of Rochester Cathedral, The Very Reverend Philip Hesketh

A Kent cathedral is opening its three-acre (1.2 hectare) "secret gardens" to the public for one day next month.

A project was started by the Dean of Rochester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, during lockdown to enhance the gardens as well as improve biodiversity.

He said the idea came to him when he learned about a former Dean of the cathedral, Samuel Reynolds Hole (1887 to 1904), who was a celebrated horticulturalist in Victorian Britain and founding president of the UK Rose Society.

"Reverend Samuel was known as the 'king of the roses' at the time and I learned he once had a remarkable garden at the Deanery in Rochester," Dean Hesketh said. The gardens will open to the public for a ticketed tour on 13 June.

The rose garden is a tribute to Rochester Cathedral's former Dean, Samuel Reynolds Hole, who was a celebrated horticulturalist in Victorian Britain

"I wanted to restore the former gardens and reinstate Reverend Samuel's rose garden, as well as the older varieties of flowers he introduced to the gardens."

Other features include an infirmary herb garden which monks may have used to cure an array of ailments.

A small vineyard has also been installed and this was inspired by references to the monks at the medieval cathedral producing fine wines.

"I absolutely love gardening. I enjoy the peace, serenity and satisfaction of watching things grow and flourish," Dean Hesketh said.

Rochester Cathedral is also undertaking re-wilding projects, including installing beehives to attract more pollinators

The cathedral is also undertaking projects to improve the biodiversity of its open spaces.

Beehives have been installed to increase pollinators in the grounds and a pond has been created in the fruit orchard to attract more wildlife, which includes dragonflies.

A wildflower meadow and trees have been planted to provide space for wildlife to flourish.

Dean of Rochester Cathedral, The Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, says he enjoys gardening

Dean Hesketh hopes the gardens will become a space for wellbeing, prayer and spiritual growth.

"This is a very important initiative as open green space plays a vital role in improving mental health," he added.

"We believe there is a need to provide greater access to green spaces, especially post-Covid."

The cathedral says the gardens are usually closed to the public but on 13 June it will be opened to ticket holders.

"We hope to open the gardens on a more regular basis, but at the moment we are limited by resources," Dean Hesketh added.