ICONIC GARDENS
Freedom of Expression Mark Lane explores the gardens of Gravetye Manor, former home of William Robinson, the visionary Victorian gardener who pioneered both ‘wild’ and cottage gardening
IMAGE MIMI CONNOLLY
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Gravetye’s borders brim with planting in a glorious ‘grand cottage garden’ style, now cared for by head gardener Tom Coward.
ravetye Manor, set in a 1,000-acre estate in the small hamlet of West Hoathly, Sussex, was built in 1598 and became the home of plantsman and author William Robinson in 1885. Over 50 years, Robinson developed a garden of incredible natural beauty around it. He is renowned for his wild garden, and at Gravetye encouraged naturalistic plantings, both native and exotic, that merge together to reflect the wildness of Ashdown Forest and the countryside of the Sussex Weald. OCTOBER 2020 THE ENGLISH GARDEN 63
