Gravetye Manor, Sussex
Treat yourself to a luxurious day out at Gravetye Manor where historically important gardens and a delicious Michelin starred lunch await.
One hundred and fifty years ago, William Robinson wrote his ground-breaking classics, the Wild Garden and the English Flower Garden in which he promoted the establishment of living plant communities in dynamic design frameworks. These ideas were swiftly acclaimed at a time when the Industrial Revolution was luring gardeners away from the land. Formal schemes, once eminently fashionable, were now less achievable.
Robinson brought together indigenous British flora with non-native species to create a greatly expanded palette of colours, textures and scents. His ideas celebrated the spontaneity inherent in gardens that constantly evolved, changed and fought against the human impulse to control.
These avant-garde and thoroughly modern ideas that still are celebrated today can be seen profoundly in Robinson’s planting at Gravetye where he lived from 1884 until his death in 1935.
In the 35 acres surrounding the Manor, Robinson created his master-piece garden which includes a flower garden, a kitchen garden, meadows, orchards and a croquet lawn.
Arriving at 10.30am, there will be tea/coffee and refreshments followed by a talk from Tom Coward, the Head Gardener. He has recently authored an introduction to an updated publication of the William Robinson book on Gravetye Manor. Signed copies will be available to purchase on the day.
After a local sparkling wine reception, a three-course lunch will be served in the Michelin-starred hotel dining room at shared tables. The menu is inspired by the year-round produce received from the manor’s walled kitchen garden.
In the afternoon, Garden Museum guests will have hours to wander and explore Robinson’s legacy garden, still scrupulously maintained by the hotel owners.
Unlike our classic garden visits, guests are asked to make their own way to Gravetye which is conveniently located for East Grinstead Station. Parking at the hotel is provided for those coming by car.
We anticipate this being an extremely popular event with only 50 places available so please book early to avoid disappointment.
This event has been organised by the Garden Museum’s Garden Visits committee. We recommend you read our Garden Visits Attendee Charter and Refund/exchange policy before booking your place on any of our Garden Visits.
