GARDEN OF THE YEAR

A disintegrating 18th-century gamekeeper’s cottage and an acre of heavy clay – albeit in a picturesque spot - might not seem the most promising foundation for a beautiful family home and garden. Yet over the last 35 years, Erica and

John Bibbings have gradually transformed this plot that was in desperate need of TLC, into the vision of beauty it is today.

Alongside repositioning and rebuilding the house, the couple have created blooming herbaceous borders, nurtured jewel-toned roses to clamber over the old brick walls; planted orchard trees and avenues of pleached hornbeam, Irish yew and clipped box; re-established an old pond; built a walled kitchen garden using reclaimed bricks from a Victorian hospital, and so much more.

‘For years I have got up at 7am to spend an hour in the garden. I am completely addicted to it,’ explains Erica (pictured below).

Content editor Rachel Crow says: ‘We loved the story behind the creation of this magical English country garden; how it has slowly evolved over the years through the owners’ dedication and hard work, and how they also paid homage to its history. It is a worthy winner.’