News from the gardening world
‘The finest manor house and garden’ bags award following public vote, writes Ian Hodgson
Anoted garden in West Dorset has become the Historic Houses Association (HHA) Garden of the Year. Grade II listed Mapperton House, self-styled as the ‘nation’s finest manor house and garden’ claimed almost a quarter of almost 12,000 public votes cast for eight shortlisted properties, which included Arley Hall in Cheshire, Painshill Park in Surrey and Carolside in Berwickshire.
Despite the constraints imposed by coronavirus, all shortlisted gardens were able to offer sociallydistanced public access at some point over the summer.
The Jacobean family home of the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Mapperton Gardens, near Beaminster, is famed for its romantic setting in a steep combe. The imaginatively planted 15-acre gardens descend from formal Italianate topiary gardens and orangery to the north, to an arboretum and wild garden beyond. “We want to thank everyone who voted for us and have had so much enjoyment from the gardens,” said Lady Sandwich. “Especially so this year, when getting outdoors and enjoying nature has been more important than ever.” Breaking with tradition, a second award was created this year to reflect smaller and less well-known gardens that are nonetheless worthy of recognition. Inaugural winner was Gresgarth Hall, in Lancashire, home to Sir
Mark and Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd. The
12-acre garden is set in a valley with terraces descending from the house to the lake planted with roses, clematis and a wealth of unusual and tender plants. A series of generously proportioned single and double yew-backed borders are a further delight, along with an innovative vegetable garden. “The judges’ choice might be considered the lifetime achievement award for gardens that may be open in a limited way or on a budget, but that shine with creativity, resilience and personality and still deserve global recognition for their standard of design, complexity of planting and great beauty,” said Lady Ursula Cholmeley, of Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire and chairman of the Historic Houses Gardens Committee.