Benington is centred around a village green with a duck pond. Highlights include the snowdrops at Benington Lordship Gardens, the Norman history of Benington Castle and the Parish Church of St Peter. Together, a seasonal garden attraction and cultural and historical details spanning several centuries reveal different facets of the village.
Snowdrops and the Village Green
The snowdrop walk in Benington Lordship Gardens follows the wall along the upper edge of the castle moat. The gardens are home to a collection of rare and unusual snowdrops. Every year in February, they open for a display of naturalised snowdrops around the remains of the Norman keep and the surrounding moat. This makes February a clear seasonal focal point for a visit to the gardens. Check current opening dates before your trip.
The village green with its duck pond adds a permanent feature of the village landscape to this seasonal highlight. Those wishing to get to know Benington will find a focal point in the village itself alongside the gardens. The snowdrop walk also provides a clear route through the gardens: it follows the wall along the upper edge of the moat.
The Castle and Parish Church of St Peter
Benington Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle with a tower keep. Historical records of the castle date back to the 11th century. The square castle mound, or motte, measures 45 m in diameter and is approximately 6 m high. These figures give a sense of the site’s dimensions without treating the earliest historical records as a construction date. The castle lies immediately north of the Parish Church of St Peter.
The church is a Grade I listed building. Its features reflect various medieval phases: the nave and chancel date from the late 13th or early 14th century, while the west tower dates from the early 15th century. This sequence helps put the building’s history into perspective across its different periods.
The tombs add their own historical highlights. The church contains a traceried tomb chest for Sir John de Benstede and his wife, with life-size effigies of them lying down. Another tomb chest, for Sir Edward de Benstede and his wife, is dated to around 1430 and stands beneath a canopy. The lych gate was erected in memory of Canon Mills’s son and 18 members of the parish who fell in the First World War, between 1914 and 1919. The tombs and memorial site add specific people and commemorative associations to the building’s history.
Fairs and Food
The Benington Village Fair is an annual event with a tradition dating back at least to 1305. Historically, it was held on the second weekend in July at Benington Lordship. This refers to the event’s former date; check current event dates before your trip.
Tasting is at the heart of the Benington Chilli Festival, where visitors can sample food from around the world. The festival has been held as a three-day family event since 2006 and attracts thousands of visitors. More than 60 stalls offer chilli products, including chutneys, sauces, pickled products, seeds, cheese and chocolate. The range spans preserved condiments and foods that combine chilli with other ingredients.
There are different ways to choose what to focus on during a visit: the gardens have a seasonal connection through their annual February opening, while the castle and church are defined by their architectural features, dates and tombs. The Village Fair represents a long event tradition; food and the variety of stalls are the focus of the Chilli Festival. If visiting for an event, check its current dates and plan accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Little Gaddesden, Wadesmill, Markyate, Kings Langley, Baldock, Codicote, Hitchin, Elstree.
For the broader travel overview: Hertfordshire.
