Monty Don, the long-standing host of BBC Gardeners' World for over 20 years, resides in a Tudor oak-beamed hall house near the market town of Leominster in Herefordshire, approximately 15 miles from the Welsh border. The gardening expert acquired his two-acre plot, Longmeadow, in 1991 when it was an empty field, transforming it into a wildlife-friendly sanctuary featured on the show.
Why Leominster?
Don explained his choice of location to English Home, stating, "I live near a little town called Leominster in Herefordshire near the Welsh border." He noted that the area was "sufficiently far" from the London commuter belt, making it more affordable. His home includes 10 workrooms and studios, with the garden divided into four sections: the Cottage Garden, Jewel Garden, Paradise Garden, and Vegetable Garden.
Property Prices in Leominster
According to Rightmove, the average property price in Leominster over the past year stands at £237,089. The town, believed to have originated around a great Anglo-Saxon abbey founded in 660 AD, is located just 10 minutes from Hereford town centre, offering residents access to shops, restaurants, and bars.
Garden History
Documenting the garden's evolution on his blog, Monty wrote: "The planting began in earnest in spring '93 and has never really ceased since. The changes have been dramatic and may seem astonishing to some. But in my mind that early field with its pattern of woven fences protecting the little plants, so small yet filled with dreams, still remains beneath the skin, is still there beneath all the years."
Leominster and its surrounding villages provide an ideal base to explore the borderlands of England and Wales, drawing visitors with historic landmarks, charming streets, and magnificent gardens.
