We had a student trip to Woolbeding in Sussex today. The garden is an interesting set up in that is it National Trust, but only the surrounding landscape is preserved, the house and garden is built later and is contemporary and these are actually private, but the staff are employed by the National Trust. It is designed by I & J Bannerman who are known for their out there designs for very high end clients. In comparison to some of their work this garden is more subtle but with their characteristic contemporary slants on some of the elements e.g. brighter modern coloured bridges, and there are the odd modern sculpture dotted in places. The garden is modest and very well kept, with classic vistas, lawns and borders. A garden that incorporates and blends with the wider historic landscape. The owners are very much interested in gardening and has a lot of input in how it looks.
 |
| Photo 1: A double flower border. |
There are the main formal garden areas with rooms and flower beds including an area with a swimming pool, an exotic garden with a greenhouse and some plant specialities and a vegetable garden. They have a river running through the garden and this area is surrounded by meadows with mature
Cedrus trees and grazing sheep and wooded walkways.
 |
| Photo 2: The river that runs through the garden, that looks naturalistic, but it is cultivated and it is done in a way that blends with the wider environment. |
 |
| Photo 3: Grotto next to river with a classic sculpture with a contemporary twist. His cloak is cladded with of lots of shells. |
 |
| Photo 4: Another contemporary take on of a grotto like water feature in one of the clearings of the wooded walkways. |
 |
| Photo 5: A very well framed rustic scene. |
 |
| Photo 6: This natural pergola was one of the highlights. |
