High Quality Pergolas in Hertford
Why consider a pergola?
While fencing is pretty much a necessity for any garden, there are different garden structures that can also be incorporated as additional features to offer various benefits, namely an arbour, arch, pagoda or pergola.
Fencing has the benefit of marking out boundaries to your property, keeping others out and keeping your pets in, but the pergola is one other structure that can transform any garden, of virtually any size. So, what is a pergola? What are the different uses for one so you can decide whether to include one in your garden landscaping project?
What is a pergola?
A pergola is a structure built from posts and beams creating a shaded area or covered walkway, they are usually constructed over a patio or decking area. They are often used as an extension of a building but their general purpose is to provide a focal point in a garden or outdoor other space. The pergola is often confused with an arbour, a pergola has a more open structure, while an arbour is generally freestanding and commonly seen with an arched roof, and typically used as a doorway or as a waiting area with a bench or seat incorporated into the structure.
Historically the pergola was built from stone, brick and wood, the pergola would have been a common feature in gardens from the Roman era, when the structures were projected from exterior walls and supported on one side by pillars or columns. Pergolas were built by architects during the Italian Renaissance to give the sought after look of the villas of ancient Rome.
Today, people are getting more creative with their outdoor spaces, leading to garden structures that combine various elements to suit individual requirements. Generally, the convention with the pergola is that they should not have solid sides, but a trellis or completely open but as no two gardens are the same; we suggest you choose the pergola design that you prefer.
The pergola is a great way to showcase your favourite climbing rose or vine plants, offering a soothing dappled shade at the same time.
The pergola can be small, covering an entrance point to a separate section of the garden, or it may cover a much larger area, such as an entire path or walkway.
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Modern history of Hertford
From the reign of James I, Hertford appeared to fall from favour, at least as far as the royal family were concerned. Even Hertford Castle, which had been a popular royal residence for so long, ceased to be used for royal living quarters and was allowed to fall into disrepair and a bad state of decay.
The Hatfield and Hertford connection
After Charles I came to the throne, Hertford castle was given to William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Salisbury. The Salisbury line have been the incumbent family based at nearby Hatfield House, but at this time they were granted the castle at Hertford. A good deal of Hertford castle had been allowed to get into such a state that it had fallen into ruins. The reason for such a bad state of repair was that the Hertford residence hadn’t been used since Tudor times.
Yet another change in Herford Castles residents
Following the Hertford residence being granted to the Salisbury clan, Hertford Castle was then leased to Sir William Harrington of Hertingfordbury Park, who carried out major restorative work to restore Hertford Castle to its former glory. He then in turn assigned his lease to Sir William Cowper, who was a collector of Customs at the Port of London. From this time the castle remained in the ownership of the Cecil family, who leased it out to a succession of occupiers, many of them successors to William Cowper. Around 1790 the south wing was added to the gatehouse. The windows of the existing gatehouse were all remodelled, and the parapet added with its brick battlements. Around 1800 a new gateway and lodge were built by the Marquess of Downshire.
A departure from the stately home in Hertford
Between 1805 and 1809, Hertford Castle became the home of the East India Company College. In 1822, a general dispensary was established at the castle by the Rev. Thomas Lloyd, who was a prolific worker in various charitable endeavours in Hertford.
In 1911, the Hertford Corporation leased the gatehouse of the castle, as this was all that then remained of the building from the Marquess of Salisbury to run its administration department from. The grounds of Hertford Castle became a public garden. In the 1930s, the north wing was added to the gatehouse and, in the late 20th century, Lord Salisbury gave what was left of the castle to the town.