As Nick Acland, Bond’s MD explained: ‘we were approached by the architect involved in restoring the buildings in the gardens, which were landscaped in the eighteenth century.  They had found a notebook dating to 1761 mentioning a Turkish tent at Hestercombe, and there’s also a tent shown in a picture painted by the then owner.  Using that image and other contemporary references we re-created the tent in blue and cream natural canvas over a wooden frame – it makes a beautiful focal point and it is exciting to have been involved in restoring a piece of the garden’s unique history.’

The ‘new’ historic Turkish tent was launched on 28th April 2009 amidst a blaze of tulips and Turkish razzamatazz. The ornamental tent is the latest feature to be established in the restoration programme for the gardens, and was funded by a lottery grant.  Striking, hand-crafted tents of this type were popular in the 1700s as places for outdoor entertainment, picnics and casual dining.  The official opening was carried out by author and raconteur, Stanley Johnson, (father of London Mayor, Boris) who has Turkish roots, and the Turkish Flag on a pennant next to the tent was raised by the Turkish Consul General.  Belly dancers and some tempting Turkish delight added oriental flavour to the occasion, and the tent stands in a glade of eye-catching tulips, planted in crescent formations in recognition of the flower’s Turkish origins.