A stately home’s green grass was awash with blue dye to commemorate the 400th anniversary of a river that once flowed through its grounds.

Diverted to bring drinking water to London, the New River was recreated at its former course in Myddelton House Gardens in Bulls Cross, Enfield, to celebrate 400 years since it opened.

The river is still a fundamental part of the capital’s water supply, and on Saturday a new water feature which has a pump to recreate wave motion was installed inside the gardens where the river once flowed.

Special guest Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles OBE unveiled the feature on Sunday, September 29, in front of the two original New River bridges that still stand in the gardens today.

Brigadier Parker Bowles is the great-great nephew of Edward Augustus Bowles, one of the 20th century’s greatest gardeners and renowned for making the gardens famous, and the great-great grandson of the last governor of the New River Company, Henry Carington Bowles.

He said: “It takes me back 50 years ago when the real river ran through here. What a wonderful day.”

Andrew Turvey, head gardener at Myddelton House Gardens, said: “The celebration was thoroughly enjoyable and a success. Recreating the New River on the lawn was quite an accomplishment and the final result was breathtaking. The spectacular water feature will remain in the gardens as a beautiful reminder of where the New River once flowed.

“Thank you to everyone who attended, and in particular to the gardening team here at Myddelton House Gardens and Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles who led the celebrations.”

The gardens boast eight acres of exotic plants, a carp lake and a number of historic artefacts collected and treasured by Mr Bowles, including pieces from the original St Paul’s Cathedral and the Enfield Market Cross.