In 1999 English Heritage set out proposals to build new gardens at their properties, under an initiative called the Contemporary Heritage Garden Scheme.
The new gardens had to be in keeping with the context of each historic site but also present the best of contemporary design. The designers were chosen by open competition.
New gardens were developed at Eltham Palace in Southeast London, Osborne House on The Isle of Wight, Lincoln Bishop's Palace, Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire, Witley Court in Hereford and Worcester, and at Portland Castle in Dorset.
This project not only aimed to set standards of design for future heritage, but to also improve the presentation of properties to visitors for their knowledge and enjoyment.
