On 18th July, 24 members visited Fittleworth House gardens and Woolbeding gardens in West Sussex on the edge of the South Downs National Park. The two are only about 15 minutes apart and well worth the combined visit.
The 18th century, wistaria-covered, Fittleworth House has been in the same private family ownership for over fifty years. At three acres, the garden (part of the NGS) is not huge and is managed with a nature-conscious "light touch" by head gardener, Mark Saunders, with insect-friendly "intruders" allowed to co-habit the colourful informal beds and borders. Nature forms a great part of the way the garden is planted and managed. A wildlife pond, long grass areas, oak trees, nesting boxes and bird feeders all help to attract wildlife. A man-made (but very natural) stream winds its way through rocks, significant ancient trees and beautiful plantings, creating a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. There is also a fully productive working walled kitchen garden with a wide range of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. (Mark Saunders will be talking to CGS on "A Head Gardener's Year" in October).
Woolbeding gardens are quite different. The Georgian house and park were given to the NT in 1957 by the Lascelles family and were leased to a Sainsbury scion and his partner in 1972 since when they have lavished time and money on creating what we see today : richly planted borders and garden "rooms" of different styles and textures, statuary, fountains, follies, all in a formal, manicured setting. In its 16 acres, however, there is still plenty of room for wildlife-freindly spaces and woodland walks.
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