Experience the peaceful world of the Middle Ages, where cloister lawns, medicinal herbs, and sacred geometry reflected a belief in divine order.

From the fall of the Roman empire through to the 16th century, a distinctive form of medieval garden was the monastic, cloistered courtyard.

The structure of the courts in this example is based on the ruins of St John of the Hermits Monastery in Sicily. One court is a simple Cloister Garth, which was a form of courtyard generally used by the monks for prayer and contemplation. The other is an Apothecary’s Garden, which supported the healing of the sick in a monastic hospital.

In the Middle Ages, monasteries were islands of calm in an unpredictable world. Within their walls lay places of learning, care, and refuge. They offered medicine for the sick and a meal and bed for any traveller in need. Life outside could be uncertain, but inside, everything followed the steady rhythm of prayer, work, and study. 

At the centre of most monasteries lay two distinct garden types: the Cloister Garth and the Apothecary Garden. These monastic courtyard gardens developed across Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries and were based on the Roman atrium court. Together they reveal how gardens were used not only for practical purposes but also to reflect medieval ideas about beauty, order, and spirituality.

Hamilton Gardens' Medieval Garden recreates these spaces, inviting visitors to discover a world where healing, hospitality, and contemplation were woven into daily life.

How have the elements of the garden been recreated?

The Cloister Garth
The Cloister Garth was the communal heart of a monastery. It was usually located beside the church, with the most important rooms opening directly onto it. The central space was generally planted with a simple lawn and occasionally a single tree. The surrounding covered walkways provided a place for reading and study, while monks processed through the cloister at regular intervals throughout the day.

The simplicity of the lawn and the enclosed walls focused attention on the geometry and symmetry of the space while directing the eye upwards towards the sky. It was a place designed for quiet reflection and spiritual contemplation.

The Apothecary Garden
The Apothecary Garden supplied medicinal and aromatic herbs used in treating the sick and caring for travellers. Monastic communities became renowned for their knowledge of herbal remedies, cultivating plants that could be prepared into medicines, ointments, and treatments.

Surplus herbs were dried and stored for future use, reflecting the practical role these gardens played in medieval healthcare. Monastic gardens are widely regarded as the forerunners of modern hospitals and pharmacies.

Geometry and Symbolism
Medieval people believed geometry reflected divine order. This idea influenced church architecture, music, art, and garden design. Square courtyards represented perfection and were often aligned to the cardinal points, while fountains held spiritual symbolism and could represent life, salvation, or the Virgin Mary. 

Hamilton Gardens' Medieval Garden incorporates these early design principles through its square cloister layout and central fountain, demonstrating how symbolism and function worked together in medieval landscapes.

What were monastery gardens used for?

The bell tower now stands proudly in the Medieval Garden, adding a striking new feature to this immersive garden. While the bell remains silent for now, its presence hints at the rhythm and ritual of medieval life, inviting you to imagine the sounds that once marked the passing of time.

We extend our sincere thanks to Tuscany Statues for their exceptional craftsmanship. Their artistry adds depth and authenticity to this evolving space.

With roof tiles imported from Spain laid in place and cladding added to the walls, the Medieval Garden is really starting to take shape.

With fresh topsoil settled, the next chapter of planting has begun. Each of the four apothecary beds now home a central apple tree Malus ‘Wrights Scarlet’, a beautiful variety that delights with white spring blossoms, crimson fruit, and golden autumn leaves.

Around these trees, a collection of herbs and medicinal plants has been carefully planted. Apple mint, lungwort, feverfew, achillea, geranium, and comfrey now share the beds with Sicilian natives such as rosemary, oregano, fennel, thyme, and marjoram.

Nearby, a striking Cryptomeria japonica has been transplanted from within the Gardens, with turf to be laid in the new year.

In total, this space will showcase more than 40 medicinal species, sourced from Kahikatea Nursery and nurtured in our on-site nursery. Each plant has been selected through extensive research to reflect the story of medieval healing and herbal wisdom.