My Favourite Place: Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey
My favourite time to go to Claremont Landscape Garden is on a Sunday morning. It’s such a big, green space and a contrast to sitting at home in the office! I like a longer walk at the weekend and I enjoy being surrounded by nature. The big house is now a private school and the naturalistic landscape was created by the legendary William Kent and Capability Brown in the 18th century.
The huge lake attracts lots of wildfowl. There are various ducks and geese and you can often see a black swan, which mesmerises me. In summer you can go punting, which would be nice to try one day!
There’s a huge man-made amphitheatre and a ha-ha.
The gothic belvedere is open a few times a year and it’s lovely to survey the area from a different perspective. Right above the amphitheatre there’s a small terrace with a lovely vista towards the lake. I go there every time, it’s the best view in the garden!
I particularly like the camellia terrace. There aren’t a lot of flowers at Claremont, but I sometimes take my camera just in case – I’m always hopeful that I’ll find something in bloom and get some shots or little videos for Instagram!
Claremont is our nearest National Trust garden. It’s just a short drive from home and it’s been especially brilliant in lockdown as the restricted numbers and one-way system make it feel safe. It’s just so lovely to be out in the open, strolling along the meandering paths. I like to be surrounded by greenery and it’s so nice to get into the fresh air.
I love to imagine the people who used to live here. It’s a place that has connections with prominent politicians such as Thomas PelhamHolles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, and with Princess Charlotte Augusta and Queen Victoria. It’s a really evocative garden and it makes me imagine women in big dresses and gentlemen in frock coats. I can’t help wondering whose steps I’m walking in!
■ Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9JG; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ claremont-landscape-garden