Gardens within one hour of London
Goddards
Abinger, Surrey. Built by Lutyens as a holiday home for ‘ladies of small means’, it can be rented today, through the Landmark Trust.
Hatchlands Park
Guildford, Surrey. House with a unique collection of keyboard instruments, including pianos owned, maintained or used by great composers, such as Purcell, Chopin, Elgar, Mahler, JC Bach and Liszt. The garden and park were designed by Repton in 1800. Gertrude Jekyll’s parterre dates from 1913.
Knebworth House
Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Jekyll and Lutyens features in garden. Lutyens was married to Lady Emily Lytton, daughter of the owner, The Earl of Lytton. Extensive restoration and embellishment of the garden has been done over recent years. Knebworth is also well known for major musical events in the park from time to time.
Munstead Wood
Godalming, Surrey (Gertrude Jekyll’s home). 10 acres of garden set in a woodland setting, recently restored by the owners to her original plans. Garden has been open 3 or 4 days per annum, but new arrangements will be announced, after its acquisition by the National Trust in 2023.
Phillips Memorial Park
At Godalming, Gertrude Jekyll’s home town. In 1914 Hugh Thackeray Turner constructed the Phillips Memorial to commemorate the memory of John George Phillips, a local man, who was the Chief Wireless Telegraphist on the RMS Titanic. Gertrude Jeykll designed the planting around this memorial. www.waverley.gov.uk
Princess Helena College
Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Lutyens house extension; Jekyll garden. It was a leading girls school, but closed in 2021. It is currently uncertain when and whether visiting will be possible.
Putteridge Bury
University of Bedfordshire at Luton. Built by the architect, Sir Ernest George, Putteridge Bury is set in 500 acres of countryside; it has a garden designed by Edwin Lutyens and planted by Gertrude Jekyll. Hertfordshire Gardens Trust has faithfully restored the garden, which is maintained by the University.
Royal Horticultural Society garden
RHS is UK’s premier gardening charity. Its garden at Wisley, Surrey, was created by George F Wilson, with some help from Gertrude Jekyll.
Street House
Godalming, Surrey. Childhood home of Edwin Lutyens. Opening details from the Yellow Book, published each February, of the National Gardens Scheme.
Upton Grey
Basingstoke, Hampshire. The complete and faithful restoration of this Jekyll garden at Upton Grey is described in the restorer’s own book Gertrude Jekyll’s Lost Garden; The Restoration of an Edwardian Masterpiece, published in April 2000 and in the Historic Gardens Review.
Vann Hambledon
Godalming, Surrey. Tudor/William & Mary house; Jekyll water garden.
Woodhouse Copse
Holmbury St Mary, Surrey. Arts & Crafts building by Oliver Hill in Jekyll woodland garden with lake, waterfalls, topiary and rare tree specimens. Concerts are held here regularly, featuring young musicians.