GARDENS The not-so-secret Iford Manor Gardens

INTRO They’re bound to know your usual with your own garden bar

THE SECRET’S OUT It’s a silver-screen debut for the historical and magnificent 900 acre estate Iford Manor Gardens Words by Nick Woodhouse

Three years ago, the owners of Iford Manor received an unexpected and intriguing phone call. A location scout had discovered an image of the Spanish Patio within Iford’s Harold Peto garden and was release over the Easter weekend earlier this year, with Iford owners Marianne and William Cartwright-Hignett hoping to offer screenings within the gardens over the subsequent summer months. This year of course took its own uncertain course and the film’s release was delayed, with the gardens staying closed keen to visit. In search of locations for the new throughout the season. film adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The garden team at Iford, led by Troy Scottnovel The Secret Garden, the scout’s call was duly Smith, has continued however to work behind followed by his arrival, and that of several those closed gates, keen to create some muchcolleagues, in a minibus to see the gardens needed positivity from this turn of global events. first-hand. The minibus became a coach on the In place of daily preparations for visitors, they next visit, with the following summer seeing the were able instead to concentrate on those larger arrival of the crew themselves, ready for filming. projects that form part of their far-reaching ten-year plan. The restoration “John dedicated almost four of the gardens has been accelerated, with re-planting schemes taking the place of decades to restoring Harold daily deadheading. Troy has been further Peto’s original design” developing their volunteer training programme too, ensuring it continues to be a meaningful scheme where those

It was ultimately the Great Terrace, rather passionate about gardening can share their than the Spanish Patio that took centre stage. It ideas and learn from the best. was to become one of six gardens that feature The manor’s extensive arts programme was within the film, a list that includes the National also sadly put on hold, apart from four days in Trust’s renowned Bodnant Garden near August. Here, with lockdown restrictions eased, Colwyn Bay. It may however take viewers a Marianne and William were able to launch little while to recognise their favourite spaces. At the Bounceback Festival, a way of supporting Iford, a three-week set-up saw the famous Great musicians who hadn’t been able to work or Terrace turfed, colonnades temporarily added perform in recent months. Over 600 tickets and the arrival of some 1,500 potted plants. were sold for the event, with music spanning The plants would stay in their pots, strategically from classical jazz to gypsy folk. placed to ensure a riot of colour from all angles. Next year will not only see the return of the

Filming itself took place over three sun- festival and April’s re-opening of the gardens drenched days and included some of the key to the public, but also a new multipurpose scenes from the magical story; the reconciliation space to welcome guests, host events and sell for example of Mary’s cousin and his father, local produce, including that from the wider Archibald Craven, played by Colin Firth. By this Iford estate. After a particularly wet winter stage, the manor’s magic had cast its spell on the that prevented the digging of foundations of film’s production designer Grant Montgomery, the space, this project had fallen six months who later chose to return to Iford to film a series behind; now, they are making up for lost time, of indoor scenes for ITV’s Regency drama the circular saws humming in the background Sanditon there. whilst I interview William.

The Secret Garden was due for its theatrical There will undoubtedly be further ways in which the gardens will look different to how they might have in days before the pandemic. The restaurant will most likely have an alternative layout and offer at-seat service, and audio guides may be on offer to counter any restrictions on numbers joining a guided tour. Marianne and William are keen however that the space doesn’t become just another museum, wishing instead to reflect both its vibrancy and the enthusiasm of the very people that continue to be so core to the garden’s story. Any audio guides will therefore include contributions not just from William, Marianne and Troy, but also from William’s parents, John and Elizabeth, both so formative to the Iford we see today.

When Elizabeth, aged 25, purchased Iford in 1964, the gardens were largely neglected, her future husband John dedicating almost four decades to restoring Harold Peto’s original design. It is the more intimate setting of the smaller evening tours of the gardens that really allows William the opportunity to share those stories, over a glass of fizz, of his family’s work and their plans for the future.

Fortunately, those plans will soon include being able to watch The Secret Garden on screen. The secret’s finally out; the film is set for general release later this month, hopefully followed by those much-anticipated outdoor screenings at Iford next summer.

The Secret Garden starring Dixie Egerickx, Colin Firth, and Julie Walters will be released in cinemas, and on Sky Cinema, on 23 October.

For more: Iford Manor, Iford, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 2BA, tel: 01225 863146; www.ifordmanor.co.uk

Nick Woodhouse is the co-director of interior and garden design company Woodhouse & Law on 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Filming took place at Iford Manor Gardens for three days

Celebrated Edwardian garden designer Harold Peto made Iford Manor his home from 1899-1933

The fi lm tells the story of a young orphan Mary who discovers a magical secret garden on her uncle’s estate Dixie Egerickx and Amir Wilson in The Secret Garden