A GROUP of volunteers have transformed an area of Basing House.

Volunteers from investment management services provider Rathbones, along with members of Hampshire Cultural Trust, spent three days in July transforming a section of the Basing House grounds into a stunning garden.

The transformation is just in time to mark the silver jubilee of Knot Garden, another garden on the site, which was once the largest private house in Tudor England until its destruction following a siege by Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the English Civil War.

Work on the Lady of the House Garden started in 2007 but was never completed after repair and renovation work needed to be carried out within Basing House.

The trust was then approached by Rathbones who were keen to provide a team of 25 people to help with the garden project, as well as donating gravel, wood and fixings to ensure the garden looked its best.

During the three days at the site, volunteers cleared and weeded the area, constructed two new raised beds, cut and lay weed membranes around the beds as well as laying gravel and weeding all of the pathways.

Assistant manager of Basing House, Emma Barrett, who coordinated the project, said: “On some of the hottest days of the year so far, the enthusiasm of the team from Rathbone was brilliant and infectious.

“They’ve put so much hard work into creating a magnificent garden that will be enjoyed by all.”

Tim Bolton-Carter, senior regional director at Rathbones, said: “The team from Rathbones thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of their volunteer work and felt a real sense of accomplishment when they had finished.”