GRAVETYE MANOR
29
May
2015
I was totally unaware of my luck in finding Gravetye when originally researching hotels in England for our garden tour. I had never heard of Gravetye…
The hotel as it is now, began life in 1598 when it was built for Katherine Compton and Richard Infield, an ironmaster. In 1884, Gravetye became the home of William Robinson, author of “The English Flower Garden”, until his death in 1935. Under his stewardship, the garden became one of the most famous in England.
“Robinson’s ideas about naturalised plantings, allowing nature to flow into the garden were ground breaking.” He introduced new ideas and traditions that are almost taken for granted today.
He introduced the ‘mixed border’ or herbaceous border, mass planting perennials and bulbs and leaving no ground space open, thus creating ‘ground cover plants’!
Wild gardening and creating large drifts of perennials into meadows and woodland and waterside, was perhaps his most significant influence. He loved the idea of the wild garden joining the formal constraints – allowing nature and the structured garden to merge into one. Not only was our stay at Gravetye delightful, but I got to learn about William Robinson as well. I took over a hundred photos at Gravetye and below are a few. I might do another post showing more photos at a later stage.
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| The naturalised garden tumbling down towards the formal gardens. |
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| A sea of Alliums and the white wisteria about to flower |
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| We were sorry to leave and will definitely be back! |
Hi Maureen, I'm sorry but I have no idea about the possibility of another manor house nearby. You could try writing to the hotel and they could give you the owner's address. They might have the information you require! Thanks for stopping by!
Hello! I enjoyed the photos of Gravetye. I haven't been there but have been close by. I was wondering if you had any inkling about whether there was an earlier manor house on or near that property? The reason I ask is I am a direct descendent of Richard Infield's sister, Thomasine Infield (their father was also a Richard Infield). Thomasine married John Feldwick of West Hoathly. My daughter traipsed through the nearby fields one muddy March day last year and saw Gravetye in the distance! 🙂
cheers from Maureen Jones in Canada
Thanks Stiini! … you would love it there … it really is special! xxx
Love, love and love the garden. I love the wallpaper too!
We visited Hidcote a couple of days ago FF and I was gobsmacked!!! It is too wonderful and we might try to squeeze in another visit! We arrived early so didn't have too many people around. Thanks so much xxx
Hi Tonkath! I remember your photos of the garden just before the wedding! How lovely to share a common love of the garden with your friend… there is nothing nicer! My children also love my garden and take a delight in walking around each visit. One of my grand daughters always loves to know the names of the flowers! xxx
Hi Kim – I definitely think Aliums are the bulb of the moment!! They are all over the place. We will just have to be patient!! xx
What a gorgeous place! All that colour and texture. Loving all these photos! xxx
Oh I love everything about this place and will definitely be investigating it for our trip this time next year. I love a formal garden and roses etc but live in a very bushy Australian native setting. We have tried in our small way to have the formal around the house merge into the native as well. I love both. Gardens bring so much pleasure and I’m fortunate that my best friend and I share the obsession. First thing we do when we get together is do our garden tour! Both of us had children married at home in the garden so despite the kids complaints about travelling home in the car squished between the latest plant purchases – they love the garden too. Both daughters have little courtyard gardens in their inner city pads.Needless to say I’m loving your posts and taking notes. Thank you so much for sharing. Tonkath x
I too had never heard of this garden and what a visual delight it has been. You have been so lucky with the weather , what a fantastic time you must be having. Your conversation with Marilyn has answered one of my questions, the aliums and when we could plant them here. What a pity we have to wait a whole year.