Author Archives: The Gardens Trust

For about three decades in the mid-18thc two  brothers from Yorkshire, Samuel and  Nathaniel Buck, toured Britain every summer. They sketched towns, landscapes, estates and antiquities, and every winter they turned their sketches into engravings for publication. Their work is … Continue reading →

You probably recognize the title of this post and  know where it comes from. If you do you probably  recognize the man in the boater too. But anyone who knows me will be amazed  that I’ve used it because I … Continue reading →

Last week’s post gave an introduction to Friar Park at Henley, the madcap garden project of Sir Frank Crisp.  Crisp was not only rich he was also imaginative and ambitious  – a good combination for someone never satisfied with what … Continue reading →

Way back in March 2017 I wrote about gnome-loving eccentric, Sir Charles Isham, and at the time thought there couldn’t be anyone else quite as besotted with the little men in red hats. But I was wrong!  Don’t be fooled by … Continue reading →

Last week’s post was about the first box I opened from my trolley in the rare Books room of the British Library a couple of weeks back: Mary Lawrence’s Book of Roses. Today’s post is about the second box, which … Continue reading →