Garden of Distinction

Gravetye was home to William Robinson, one of the greatest gardeners of all time, who bought the manor in 1884 and it was his home until he died, well into his nineties in 1935. It was at Gravetye he realised many of his ideals for the creation of The English Natural Garden, of which he was a pioneer. The variety and charm of the arrangement of trees and shrubs, the landscaping and the layout of different types of garden at Gravetye is still his creation and memorial.

Post war and until the late 1950's Gravetye's gardens saw general neglect and became even more wild! In 1958, a pioneering hotelier, Peter Herbert came to Gravetye and established one of Britain's first country house hotels. Over 40 years later the gardens saw enormous revival of their fortunes, and projects such as the restoration of the kitchen garden and peach house were completed.

In 2008 we were delighted to be awarded the Garden Trophy by Relais & Chateaux and in 2010 the gardens have come under the care of Fergus Garrett of Great Dixter who has been brought in as a consultant by the new owners in order to restore this great garden.

Below are some images of the gardens at different times of the year.

Photo Gallery

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