Bringing Gertrude Jekyll back to life: Upton Grey Manor House & Munstead Wood
Upon arrival we will be welcomed to The Manor House by owner Rosamund Wallinger who has spent many years reviving this historic garden which Gertrude Jekyll designed when she was 65. Rosamund will tell us the story of the amazing project she undertook before letting us wander at our leisure around the garden.
The house was owned by Charles Holme, an important Arts and Crafts figure who founded The Studio Magazine. The garden, which is just under 5 acres, has elements of almost every one of her essential garden talents.
You will have the opportunity to explore the Wild garden where winding grass paths run through rambling roses, walnut trees, shrubs, wildflowers and crocus to a pond and nature and the Formal garden where Jekyll’s herbaceous borders run above planted drystone walls and a sunken rose, lilies and peonies garden. In addition, there is an orchard, a nuttery and a kitchen garden to wander around.
Following a seasonal two-course lunch in a nearby traditional 16th century restaurant with a fairytale garden, we will head to Munstead Wood, an Arts and Crafts fusion of architectural and garden design and home to one of the world’s most influential gardeners
Annabel Watts, Head Gardener and Ian Molesworth, Site Manager, will be our guides as we discover what remains of the place that changed gardening for ever. We are privileged to be invited to visit this currently closed garden as the National Trust plan how to revive Munstead Wood.
Gertrude Jekyll’s signature style of garden-making is still very clear to see combined with some very careful re-creation and some restoration by the previous owners. The gardens, contain a spell-binding mix of original planting and features.
The part of the garden at Munstead Wood that is most famous now, is Jekyll’s hardy flower border. There is a very well-known painting by Helen Allingham, now in the collection of the Garden Museum in London, which shows this very scene in all its technicolour glory.
We will conclude our special day with a cup of tea or coffee in the garden before returning to the station.
