In March 2020, in response to the first Covid19 lockdown, Gibside closed to the public, most of the staff were furloughed and a skeleton staff remained to managed the property. One Gardener, also doing her share of property wide tasks, could not look after it all!
In May restricted numbers of the public were allowed back, and this is what they were presented with. Some grass cutting had started, but wild flowers had colonised the allotment sites and the borders. Outside of the walled garden, long grass prevailed, giving the whole place a very different, and not unwelcome, feel.
