On June 20, a significant milestone was reached at Hougoumont Farm, one of the most storied locations on the Waterloo Battlefield, with the official launch of the Hougoumont Gardens Restoration Project. This transformative initiative aims to breathe new life into a landscape once central to European history, now being re-imagined as a model for sustainability, education, and international cooperation.

Reclaiming the Gardens of 1815

The project, led by the Friends of the Hougoumont Gardens in partnership with Kléber Rossillon Waterloo, seeks to restore the site’s original 1815 garden structures: a French formal garden, orchard, kitchen garden, and an educational trail. It is a vision rooted in memory and biodiversity, with a strong commitment to ecological responsibility.

The restoration is not only a tribute to historical authenticity but also an investment in the site’s educational and environmental future, a space for learning, community, and contemplation.

A Day of Historic Presence and Forward-Looking Vision

The event was attended by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, whose presence reflected the enduring friendship between Belgium and the United Kingdom. His support for environmental and heritage causes lent powerful symbolic value to the day.

Also present was Sue Medway MBE FLS, Director of the Chelsea Physic Garden, who brought with her a legacy of botanical knowledge and commitment to cross-cultural environmental education.

A highlight of the day was a lunch honoring François Goffinet, the renowned Belgian landscape architect behind the restoration’s design. Goffinet’s approach weaves historical authenticity with ecological sensitivity, offering a compelling blueprint for how restored landscapes can serve both memory and modern needs.

A Cross-Channel Effort with Deep Roots

Thanks to the vision and dedication of the project’s initiators — supported by the Walloon Region, the Kléber Rossillon Group, and many private and public partners — the gardens of Hougoumont are on track to become a unique biosphere of historical, botanical, and cultural importance.

The project is a shared statement on how we choose to remember, how we engage with nature, and how we pass these values on to future generations.

Learn More
Details and updates on the Hougoumont Gardens project can be found here:
Hougoumont Garden Project