Hoo's made a huge impression on Luton's famous landmark?

It's the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's greatest landscape gardeners this year.

So what better way to celebrate the work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown than visiting one of his famous sites at Luton Hoo.

The Luton Hoo estate Walled garden kicks off the anniversary year with its annual Fair for Plant Heritage on Saturday, April 23.

The popular Open Wednesdays begin on May 4 until the end of September.

These give visitors the opportunity to show the progress of the garden when volunteer, both gardeners and conservationists are at work.

The garden, designed by Capability Brown in the 1760s for John Stuart, 3rd earl of Bute, was maintained and developed for two centuries before falling into declien in the 1980s.

It is now being lovingly and faithfully restored and a wide range of research has been undertaken since the beginning of the project in 2001.

Outside of the garden there are illustrated talks available for groups, at their selected venue, topics covering a history of the garden, Hoo’s Farms, Hoo’s Who – 100 and 150 years ago and in WW1, and Lord Bute who built the Walled Garden.

Two study days on April and May have been organised to reveal how research into the work of Capability Brown has discovered details about the unusual design of the garden and the botanical collection which it contained.

The Annual Fair for Plant Heritage (Herts and Beds) on April 23 is from 11am-3pm. Entrance is just £3 and tours of the garden can also be taken for an extra £2.

Open Wednesdays begin on May 4 from 1030-3.30pm each until the end of September. The £5 entry fee includes a guided tour of the garden and in addition a new tour of the Victorian farm buildings will be available. Produce from the garden will be on sale including Luton Hoo honey as well as plants. Refreshments will be available.

Full details of all activities can be found at www.lutonhooestate.co.uk or by phoning 01582 721443.