Gravetye Manor: 20 Years’ Work round an Old Manor House, book launch event with Head Gardener Tom Coward

Saturday 16th November 2024

We invite you to discover the spectacular, new edition of Gravetye Manor: 20 Years’ Work round an Old Manor House by William Robinson with new colour images and a foreword by current renowned Head Gardener, Tom Coward, which bring this historic estate and garden to new life.

Robinson is widely acknowledged to have been one of the greatest gardeners of all time, known as “the Irishman who taught the British how to garden,” and the pioneer of the naturalistic planting style still emulated today by garden designers including Piet Oudolf and many others. With mentions of specific plants, cultivars, and planting schemes as well as observations of seasonal changes and moods, home gardeners today will relate to Robinson’s charming and entertaining original text and see their own smaller-scale efforts reflected in his own gardening triumphs, failures, and experiments.

In this talk head gardener Tom Coward will introduce the charismatic Victorian William Robinson and discuss his life and impact on gardening. He will also share with us his experience in renovating his garden here at Gravetye and its continued development.

Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase on the day at a special price.

Arrive 10.30am for tea/coffee, with the talk starting at 11.00am followed by lunch at shared tables in our glass-fronted dining room.

We invite you to wrap up warm and explore Gravetye Manor’s gardens for a self-guided tour following lunch, to experience Tom’s hard work over the last decade first hand.

Parts of the garden are over uneven ground and involve slopes without handrails at times. The ground may also be wet. Please bring appropriate footwear as well as clothing in case of inclement weather.

£160.00 per person, talk, 3 course lunch and drinks inclusive.

Dress code: Smart Casual.