Walled Garden, Springhill, Springhill Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry

The walled garden at Springhill is a substantial example of a kitchen garden attached to a large country house. The enclosing walls are constructed of random rubble stone, rising approximately 3 metres high without coping, and have an undulating top. The walls enclose an area of 1.12 hectares. The northern and eastern short boundary forms one side of the farmyard, extending in a south-easterly direction. Currently, the garden is planted with a mix of broadleaf and coniferous trees and no longer provides vegetables or fruit for the house’s kitchen. Access is located in the middle of the south-western wall.

The garden may date from the 17th century, specifically between 1650 and 1699, although the stonework is most closely comparable to that of the nearby barn, suggesting a construction date no later than the mid-18th century. The current planting scheme was introduced in 1970. The garden holds local historical interest. Historical maps from 1832 and notes held by the Ulster Historic Gardens Trust (file L/021) provide further detail. The listing covers only the walls themselves, which are situated in the townland of Ballindrum. The garden’s architectural and setting contribute to its group value.