In episode 1, we discover that the Romans were the first to introduce gardens to England. When Anglo Saxon England emerged from the Dark Ages, European influence returned during the age of the Tudors and Stuarts with an emphasis on geometric patterns and formal features such as knot gardens, axial walks and avenues and the use of topiary.

In the late 17th centuries and 18th centuries, the English picturesque movement took off, inspired by an appreciation of the native landscape and, the icons of the ancient world. The work of its chief exponents including William Kent and Capability Brown is still in evidence in the gardens of England’s great stately homes today such as Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and Stowe.

Credits

To enjoy the gardens featured in A Short History of the English Garden – please explore the gardens and links below:

Chastleton House
Castle Howard
Chiswick House
Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
Fishborne Palace Gardens
Forde Abbey
Fountains Abbey
Great Dixter
Hampton Court Palace
Ham House
Hestercombe Gardens
Historic Royal Palaces
Hauser & Wirth
Kenilworth Castle
Kensington Gardens
Montacute House
Petworth Park
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Royal Botanic Gardens – Kew Gardens
Sissinghurst
Sky Garden
Stourhead
Stowe
The Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation Charity
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The Singapore Botanic Gardens
Witley Court