Our day begins with coffee at Woolton House, a Grade II listed 18th century house south of Newbury, in the garden of Rosamond Brown, who will be our host this morning. The Garden Museum first visited in 2016 and is delighted to be returning. Rosamond has created an unusual and dramatic contemporary garden with the help of the late French landscape designer Pascal Cribier, who worked with Louis Benech to update the Tuileries in Paris. The wider parkland that surrounds Woolton House, with its magnificent trees, is traditional in style but it is in the four-acre walled area that we will see the modern garden. Here, perennials, vegetables and grasses have been used to create regimented bands of bold colour, referencing Mondrian in a geometric layout. There is striking sculpture, expertly positioned to intrigue and surprise, plus a fine sunken garden. Rosamond will host us for lunch – served under the trees, weather permitting.
We will then move on to nearby Malverleys, another relatively new garden, set within the grounds of a country estate. Begun in 2010, the 10-acre gardens have been designed by head gardener Mat Reese in conjunction with the owners, and are influenced by Great Dixter in Sussex and the writings of iconic gardeners Christopher Lloyd, William Robinson and Vita Sackville-West. There are abundantly planted terraces and long borders, a stumpery with ferns and unusual shade plants and a topiary meadow. Tall yew hedges form themed rooms, including a cool and a hot garden, a rose-clad cloister garden and a large pond garden that reflects the dynamic planting on all sides. The walled garden contains areas for fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, alongside a white garden with fountains. The latest development is a striking yew and box parterre. The succession of hard-working garden plants alongside the unusual and rare, means there is always something of interest here. Our day will finish with afternoon tea in the garden.
Tickets
£135, Garden Museum Friends £105 (Find out more about becoming a Garden Museum Friend)
Itinerary
We will start from Newbury station, Berkshire and transport between gardens is provided. 10.50am start. (See www.parkopedia.com if you wish to park in Newbury.) The day includes morning coffee, a seasonal two-course lunch with wine and afternoon tea.
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.
