Somerset: Rainwater harvested for National Trust garden

Changes to the way the iconic pond in the pool garden is maintained also has benefits for the garden

The National Trust has taken "small, but important" steps towards making a visitor attraction more sustainable.

The team at Somerset's Tintinhull Garden has taken the whole site off mains water for irrigation purposes.

Building on the success of using rainwater to irrigate the Kitchen Garden in 2023, two large water tanks have been installed over the winter.

"Coming off mains water is a great achievement," said head gardener Alex Newman.

"It all seems to be working, which is good," he told BBC Somerset.

An additional bonus for staff and volunteers is the time taken to water the Yeovil garden has lessened from 16 hours per week to zero - thanks to an automated watering system.

All the flowers and greenery are now irrigated by rainwater using the automated watering system

The formal garden was created around a Grade I-listed 17th Century house and has been in the care of the National Trust for more than 50 years.

It was originally laid out by Phyllis Reiss from 1933 and was in the charge of the internationally-renowned garden designer and writer Penelope Hobhouse from 1979 to 1993.

With the growing trend for longer, hotter and significantly dryer summers an automated watering system was introduced in part of the garden in 2023.

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It was a great success, keeping the ground moist and the plants green during times when there was little rain.  

"We're very pleased to have taken steps towards being better prepared for the challenges of climate change and making sure this charming garden flourishes for years to come," added Mr Newman. Tintinhull Garden is open daily until 29 September.