A chance to look behind the walls of the London Charterhouse and take a leisurely stroll around its normally hidden gardens.
One of my first jobs was in Cloth Fair on the northern edge of the City. Occasionally, my lunchtime strolls would take me past an old, wooden door set into a tall, ancientlooking wall and I would speculate about what secret, urban oasis might lie behind. Now, finally, I know.
The wall belongs to the Charterhouse, originally built as a monastery in 1371. Later it became a private house and in 1611 was acquired by the wealthy philanthropist Thomas Sutton who founded a school and almshouse on the site. The school has long since relocated to Godalming in Surrey, but the almshouse remains and is home to 43 Brothers as the men (and now one woman) who live here are known.
Their home really is the verdant sanctum I once imagined, thanks in no small part to head gardener Claire Davies. When she arrived in 2009 the Charterhouse’s series of enclosed, courtyard gardens felt a little down at heel, but over the past nine years she has transformed them into a beautiful and unified space for the Brothers to enjoy.
She is also a freelance photographer and it is the many thousands of images she’s taken over the years (whittled down to around 300 by graphic designer and Brother Tim Epps) that form the basis for this book – all proceeds from which will go towards upkeep of the Charterhouse.
Text is kept to a minimum, allowing the photographs to guide you through each of the colourful gardens, stopping only to point out some of the highlights, from stunning irises and summer roses to the architectural Echium pininana and wisteria-covered walls.
The gardens open to the public only five times a year, so this virtual tour is a real boon for garden lovers and curious office workers alike.