Could this be the RHS's Jekyll and Hyde? Well it chose a difficult place to develop, in an exposed, windy ridgetop with heavy clay soil, dry climate and undistinguished farm buildings. But then it has started to create gardens that already show the brilliance of the team at the RHS.
The trouble is that it is very much a work in progress and although there are parts that are hugely satisfying to visit, the overall effect is still, in our view, another couple of decades away.
But lets concentrate on what is good, because these alone ensure visitors will gain real enjoyment from a visit.
The established parts of the garden are the best - up around the old farmhouse and outbuildings are some stunning, rolling lawns, beautiful lakes and ponds, impressive large scale border plantings and the roses . . . oh the roses. Dry climates love roses and Essex seems to be perfect for raising a collection of these gorgeous shrubs that is perhaps the best I've seen anywhere.
Watch out for the Rose Rope Walk for a display of the best climbers. There's a shrub rose border that winds intimately through some tall, old garden and species rose bushes.
But the best is undoubtedly the Modern Rose Garden with large beds protected with neat topiary hedges crammed full of the most floriferous displays. This is a celebration of abundance with blooms tumbling over blooms, relegating foliage to understory. It is as showcase of mainly David Austin Roses, but as they supplied the raw stock, we all have to be thankful.
The Dry Garden is a new, half acre rockery addition that is proving to be very successful, with over 400 Mediterranean style plants along with plenty of fascinating grasses like the soft pink-bronze plumes of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' and Stipa arundinacea. There are also plenty of recognisable drought-tolerant plants, such as Agave americana 'Variegata', achilleas, santolinas and eryngiums, along with Echium, Verbena and Euphorbia.
The Australian and NZ Garden works well and showcases some of the unique flora from down-under, which is amazing as the climates are so different to Essex. The Hebes and Grevilleas are in great shape while Eucalypts provide some of the taller tree canopies.
Access and pathways are very good all round and the thatched barn tearooms at Hilltop are delightfully rustic - along with the outdoor quandrangle eating area, flanked by the farmhouse wall clad totally in Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) which would be spectacular in autumn.
But although there is much to enjoy, there are some distinct weak spots - the old corrugated farm buildings, the front of the Farmhouse that could be a council house, large expanses of 'not much' and a brand new 'Arrivals' building that looks distinctly 'industrial estate'.
RHS Hyde Hall has big plans, it WILL be brilliant but they do need to communicate their plans, let us know what's coming, big graphic sign-boards and more directional signs would be most welcome. Then we will understand why it doesn't all flow at the moment.
Garden visitors are a forgiving lot, especially when they are treated to the excellence on display in so many of the existing smaller current precincts.
Author: Bob Saunders.
Shop: Don't miss the Hyde Hall Shop and Plant Centre for great ideas for home, garden and special occasions.
Eating: With The Barn Restaurant and The Field Café, there are many choices for something to eat or drink when you visit Hyde Hall.
Parking: Designated parking available approx 50m (55yd) from garden entrance.
Six manual wheelchairs at garden entrance. Available for ‘on the day’ use.
Assistance dogs: Welcomed in all areas.
By road:Hyde Hall is just 20 minutes from the centre of Chelmsford and is signed from the A130 (southbound).
From the M25:Leave the M25 at junction 29 for A127 (signed Southend). From the A127 exit onto the A132 (signed Wickford/South Woodham Ferrers). From the A12, leave at junction 17, then at the roundabout take the second exit for the A130 (signed Southend/Basildon). From the A130 Rettendon Turnpike roundabout follow the tourist attraction flower symbols towards South Woodham Ferrers on the A132. At the Shaw Farm roundabout turn into Willow Grove/Creephedge Lane.
If you are using Sat Nav enter CM3 8ET (via Creephedge Lane). If not recognised, try CM3 8RA.
By rail: the closest stations are Chelmsford (about 12km/8 miles), Wickford (about 8km/5 miles) and South Woodham Ferrers (about 5km/3 miles). Taxis and/or buses will connect you to Hyde Hall.
Bus: Bus service No.3, (Southend to Writtle) which will drop you at the garden. Service runs Monday – Saturday only.
If you can produce a valid train/bus ticket on the day of your visit you will be given a discount on your admission fee.