A pick of National Trust (NT) gardens are set to feature in a new BBC 4 series uncovering the rich social and horticultural history of four British heritage landscapes in April.
British Gardens in Time, explores the grand Georgian landscape at Stowe in Buckinghamshire (NT), Biddulph Grange, a superb example of a Victorian garden in Staffordshire (NT), the romantic turn-of-the-century Nymans in West Sussex (NT) and Christopher Lloyd’s dazzling 20th century garden, Great Dixter in East Sussex which is privately-run.
With expert contributions from garden designer Chris Beardshaw, historian Andrea Wulf and National Trust Head Gardener Alan Power, the series will take a detailed look at these iconic gardens created during four very different eras – each garden giving a fascinating window into a different century, the people that created them, and why.
Alan Power, the Trust’s head gardener at Stourhead said: "All four gardens are very special places, rich in social history with powerful stories of escape, social ambition, heartbreak, downfall and disaster, written into their landscapes.
"What I found fascinating was really getting under the surface of the gardens we visited. I had the chance to read and research the places and then spend some real quality time there filming and talking to the people that care for and love these places. I came away from the experience with even more respect for the wonderful gardens that have been created in times past.
"I also got to climb some of the tallest trees at both Nymans and Stowe which gave me a unique view of the garden layout and a new found appreciation of what the designers were aiming to achieve.
"We hope that by taking the viewer on this journey we’ll unravel the myths and bring these four glorious gardens to life, allowing us to see them through fresh eyes and gain a greater understanding of their true significance."
Image: View towards the Italian Verona red marble fountain between the double borders in the Wall Garden in August at Nymans, West Sussex. Credit John Miller
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