Goddards Gardens Reopens March 1

- Goddards House and Garden was constructed in 1927 for Noel and Kathleen Terry of the Terry's chocolate manufacturing family. The house was designed by architect Walter Brierley and the garden by George Dillistone. - The property is a notable example of the Arts and Crafts movement, which championed traditional craftsmanship and design inspired by nature. The five-acre garden is divided into distinct "rooms," a characteristic of the style, and includes features like formal ponds, a rock garden, and a glasshouse. - The National Trust acquired the property in 1984, initially using the house for regional offices. The gardens opened to the public in 2006, followed by parts of the house in 2012. - From the garden, visitors can see the clock tower of the former Terry's chocolate factory, a direct link to the family's legacy. The famous Terry's Chocolate Orange was introduced in the 1930s while the family lived at Goddards. - The house, a Grade I listed building, was one of the last major projects by architect Walter Brierley, who was known as "the Lutyens of the North". The interior features original Arts and Crafts wallpapers and oak paneling. - The garden was designed by George Dillistone, who also worked on the gardens at Castle Drogo with renowned architect Edwin Lutyens. In 2016, the National Trust began work to restore the original planting schemes based on Dillistone's nearly 90-year-old plans. - Before the National Trust acquired it, the garden was home to a variety of exotic pets, including axolotls and green lizards, introduced in the early 1930s.