Steeped in history, the Alswick Hall Estate near Buntingford in Hertfordshire was mentioned in the 11th-century Domesday Book, and its 16th-century property was said to have been visited by Queen Elizabeth I. Since then, it has passed through generations of families, a religious order, the Crown and a series of farmers. The current custodians, Annie and Mike Johnson, took possession of the estate about 20 years ago and have sensitively renovated the house to make it their own. Annie has also overseen the development of the five-acre garden, transforming it into a series of colourful themed spaces, while Mike and his team farm the surrounding land.
“We are the second generation of Johnsons to live here, having inherited the property from Mike’s parents,” explains Annie. “Prior to that we lived a few miles away with our three children and Mike worked with his father
