Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex, was the home of William Robinson, horticulturist and author of several books on gardening, among them the classics "The English Flower Garden" and "The Wild Garden". He has influenced British and European gardening style for many decades since the end of the 19th century. He advocated a natural, less formal gardening style with plantings in drifts and well devised finely graduated colour schemes.
Today his house is a beautiful country house hotel, with an excellent Michelin-starred restaurant. We had visited the place several times in the past already - mainly because of its kitchen. With a change of ownership, its gardens now have improved tremendously, offer an additional joy and are well worth a visit.
So have a look for yourself:
The gardens are well maintained and gardeners are very helpful and keen to explain about the plantings or plants' names. The head gardener used to work at Great Dixter; this creative influence can clearly be seen.
Yellow Tropaeolum canariense delicately draped across a camellia giving her additional flowers extending her showy time.
a peek over the wall
Photogenic Veratrum decorated with flowers from a bush above:
a very fine-leaved Euphorbia - I don't know which.
a tiny clematis
Dactylorhiza on the meadows
To the Walled Garden, which not only supplies the kitchen ...
Eremurus
The Walled Garden is also used for growing flowers for the house.
So, in addition to seeking out this beautiful garden, you can stay overnight in cozy rooms and have an excellent meal - or simply a sumptous afternoon tea on the lawn or one of the numerous places to sit and relax - which seems like the perfect holiday!
Yellow Corydalis
"Robinson style"
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