England’s Gardens -A Modern History.

/ karen

Stephen Parker

Published by Dorling Kindersley

Hardback £25

Updated review and giveaway.

Please leave a comment to be included in the prize draw for a copy of this book.

I wrote a review of Stephen Parker’s book last summer.

Read it here: https://bramblegarden.com/2023/07/08/englands-gardens-a-modern-history-book-review/

There has been a wave of new books coming into the potting shed for tea break reading, but this one stood out well above the others. And now, six months later, I’m still intrigued and entranced by Stephen Parker’s study of gardens and the people who created them. To be honest, I wouldn’t be parted from this book. It’s beautifully-written and illustrated and Stephen has the knack of drawing you in and leading you around a garden, showing you all the best parts and lending insights into how they were created and why. It’s as much a book about people as the landscapes and I suppose we always want to try to get inside the heads of the creators to see what influenced and motivated them. Stephen entices you in and doesn’t disappoint.

Contents page. Tom Stuart-Smith’s Middle Terrace at Broughton Grange, Oxfordshire.

In-depth case studies focus on Chatsworth House, Longleat, The Lasket, Wrest Park, Rousham, I d in Esher, Surrey, Denmans Garden, Shute House, Hauser and Wirth, Somerset, East Ruston Old Vicarage, Highgrove, Thenford, Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, Broughton Grange, Oxfordshire, King’s Cross Gardens, and Lowther Castle.

Sissinghurst
Wrest Park
Wrest Park

In amongst the case studies are section on the influence of East Asia on the I’m uuiijgarden makers in the 18th Century.

The Great Pagoda at Kew Greens.
The effects of plant hunters and the species they brought to Britain.
Plant hunter George Forrest in China in 1925
Garden Sanctuaries

Every time I pick up this book I delve a little bit deeper into the backgrounds of these special places and learn more about the people who made them. It’s a very cheerful and enlightening read for cold winter days when inspiration and encouragement is much needed.

I hope you’ve enjoyed revisits Stephen Parker’s book with me. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Please leave a comment in the box below. A name will be randomly selected by Sunday evening. The publisher’s decision is final and there’s no cash alternative. Sorry, only UK addresses, excluding Northern Ireland, are eligible.

Thank you for reading.

26 thoughts on “England’s Gardens -A Modern History.”

  6. this looks a lovely book. around this time of year I start to plan which gardens we could visit, making a short garden trip. looks like this would be a real asset to that sort of planning plus so much more info. plant hunters always fascinate me…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. A lovely review! Really enjoy Stephen’s photographs on Instagram so would be great to have a copy of the book for a proper look through and read!
    Christina

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Dear Karen, thank you for your post. I am always loooking for a new garden related book. This looks like a fabulous one to add to my list. Thanks once again, Natalia Clarke

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. It's nice to know I'm not talking to myself on here.