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.

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.

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

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.