Margery Fish left a career in Fleet Street and moved to a 15th century manor house in sleepy East Lambrook and, without any previous horticultural experience, set about developing a new, approachable, style of gardening.

Working in the 1940s and 50s, she planted a huge range of old fashioned and contemporary plants – snowdrops, hellebores, hardy geraniums, roses, euphorbias and more – in abundant borders and between winding stone paths,  creating the quintessential cottage garden, and all without the need for a team of gardeners.

Margery became one of the most respected gardeners and garden writers of her day. The garden is so special that it is Grade 1 listed.

Under the guardianship of Mike Werkmeister, little has changed since then. The gardens remain magnificent and inspirational.

Don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself.

Plants for sale in the specialist cottage garden plant nursery. Art exhibitions throughout the year in the Malthouse Gallery. Coffee, tea, homemade cakes in the Malthouse Cafe. You can visit the gallery, nursery and cafe without visiting the gardens.

The garden is open from 1 February to 31 October.