Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds

Description

A captivating portrait of 20 of the greatest British gardens and the lords, ladies and gardeners who own and manage them.

Focusing on the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, this stunning book features gardens designed by some of the leading contemporary garden designers from across the world.

This beautiful corner of England has a rich tradition of garden making, which is explored in this very personal view by photographer Hugo Rittson-Thomas and journalist Victoria Summerley, both residents of this green pocket with more than its fair share of beautiful and interesting gardens.

The gardens: Abbotswood, Ablington Manor, Asthall Manor, Bourton House, Burford Priory, Colesbourne Park, Cornwell Manor, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Daylesford House, Dean Manor, Eastleach House, Eyford House, Kingham Hill House, Rockcliffe, Sarsden, Sezincote, Stowell Park, Upton Wold, Walcot House, and Westwell Manor.

Some of the gardens are strictly private, while others are regularly open to visitors, but all can now be savoured and enjoyed along with those who know them best.

Tour even more magnificent English gardens with Secret Gardens of East Anglia and Secret Gardens of Somerset.

Hugo Rittson-Thomas is one of the UK’s leading portrait photographers. He started his career in the art world, studying at Central St.Martin’s and Goldsmiths University of London, and took part in the landmark exhibition Temple of Diana alongside Tracey Emin at The Blue Gallery in 1999. In 2012 he was privately commissioned to photograph the Cotswolds gardens of Eyford House, Corwill Manor and Asthall Manor and has worked alongside acclaimed garden photographer Andrew Lawson.

Victoria Summerley is an award-winning garden journalist and ex-editor of the Independent newspaper in the UK. She lives in Bibury, Gloucestershire, the village once described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds’.

‘an alluring reminder of some of the country’s most charming gardens with a helpful gazeteer listing those open to the public’

‘Victoria and Hugo use their local knowledge and passion to spectacular effect, getting right under the skin of each garden and family who owns it…this enchanting book depicts paradise found’

‘This is a great coffee table book that you can dip into to get some inspiration for your own garden.’ 

‘A beautifully illustrated book that offers an insider’s view of some of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful private gardens…This is not just another picture book, but a useful guide and aide-mémoire for the seasoned garden visitor’

‘Victoria and Hugo use their local knowledge and passion to spectacular effect, getting right under the skin of each garden and family who owns it…this enchanting book depicts paradise found’

‘an alluring reminder of some of the country’s most charming gardens with a helpful gazeteer listing those open to the public’

‘This delightful combination of informative text with beautiful images which conjure up each garden to perfection, is the ideal companion for a chilly February afternoon, or indeed a lazy summer afternoon spent planning the next inspiring garden visit.’

‘This is a great coffee table book that you can dip into to get some inspiration for your own garden.’ 

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