Hayes Garden World in Ambleside, Cumbria, United Kingdom | Shop

A proud and prestigious pedigree indeed.  Over 200 years horticultural heritage, business acumen and public service all contributing to the credit of  Hayes Garden World,in Ambleside.  Five generations of the Hayes family, involved in the gardening trade.  A celebrity connection and rubbing shoulders with royalty: And that's just part of it.

Of the first Hayes generation two brothers, sons of a humble farm labourer went into the gardening business, at  Ambleside, in the early 19th century.  This was a time when the Lake District in the United Kingdom was getting more and more popular as a tourist destination.   Attractive grounds were therefore important assets for inns and the new hotels. Thus gardening was a growing business, at that time, in more ways than one.

Another brother, Thomas, was actually the next door neighbour of William Wordsworth,  the Lake District's most famous son, at Rydal. (A celebrity connection if there ever was one.)

Thomas went into gardening himself, as did his son.  His grandson, Thomas Richard, did also and made some outstanding contributions to horticulture. He especially excelled in the field of rock and water garden design.

Amongst his many commissions at  Hayes Garden World was the creation of a Japanese water garden for Lord Lonsdale at Lowther Castle in 1904. For that, he had trees imported from Japan. Pools, curving bridges and statues of water birds also creatively graced that garden.

At another Lake District garden, to form a backcloth, Hayes Garden World,evolved a winning way of moving mature pine trees.  

Truth to tell, the design of some of the most famous and distinguished gardens of the Lake District and elswhere have been Hayes Garden World's creations.