Climate extremes impacting historic parks and gardens

The UK’s historic parks and gardens are under increasing threat from climate change, according to a new report.

The research, by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, found hotter, drier summers and wetter winters are impacting the day-to-day management of these spaces across the UK.

The UK has over 2,800 registered historic landscapes, parks and gardens.

Researchers heard from more than 100 owners and managers of these sites through interviews and an online survey, on how they are coping with the climate crisis.

Respondents highlighted a lack of funding and guidance in dealing with the changing weather.

What impact is climate change having on historic green spaces?

Hotter and drier summers mean staff are spending more time manually watering plants, and causing more mature tree and shrub loss.

Meanwhile, more intense rainfall is flooding areas that haven’t flooded before, overwhelming historic drainage systems designed for much steadier rainfall, while rainfall is eroding paths, slopes and riverbanks.

Changes to storm patterns are causing large-scale tree losses, with some sites being forced to close for public safety.

With mild and wetter conditions, pests and diseases are thriving which can sometimes result in the loss of entire plant groups.

What did the research find?

Researchers found most sites day-to-day management is affected by the changing climate, with drier summers and wetter winters forcing them to adapt.

More than half of the respondents asked for more appropriate and accessible information, including guidance on how to carry out a climate change risk assessment.

Almost all respondents highlighted funding as being essential to make a difference.

They also blamed a lack of resources and staff capacity for not implementing changes.

Dave Bennellick, head of Land, Seas and Nature Policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Without urgent support and advice, many of these precious landscapes will suffer and change beyond recognition.”

Historic parks and gardens across the UK are making changes to combat the changing weather.

Planting is being adapted to include more climate-resilient species, while rainfall is being harvested and stored in historic tanks.

Many sites are now using mulches and organic materials to support soil moisture and planting woodland to increase water retention.

Sites are also upgrading paths and installing new drains to cope with intense rainfall, and redesigning landscapes to accommodate floodwater.

Teams are also investing in training focused on climate adaptation.

But the National Lottery Heritage Fund says more work is needed to protect our green spaces.

The organisation highlighted a number of recommendations following the report.

These include the development of a climate adaptation ‘toolkit’ specifically for these sites, a dedicated climate adaptation fund and investment in skills and peer networks to support historic parks and gardens.