The Garden
Gertrude Jekyll designed this important historic garden in 1908. John and Rosamund Wallinger bought the almost derelict property in 1984. What we did not realise was that underneath the jungle were the foundations of a very special garden, designed for a house belonging to Charles Holme, a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement. The work on this garden’s restoration has been an exciting and rewarding adventure of discovery.
We had very little knowledge of gardening until we came to Upton Grey; that was soon to change with the unearthing of this important piece of garden history. We decided to research the garden and, having discovered a full set of plans in the Reef Point Collection at The University of California at Berkeley, we obtained copies and set about the restoration. What we recreated is now believed to be the most complete and authentic Jekyll garden in existence – a living museum of Jekyll design. We hope the following pages give you some insight into the restoration, together with some notes about Gertrude Jekyll herself. This indeed is one of the finest restorations of a Hampshire Garden.
Rosamund Wallinger's first book, Gertrude Jekyll's Lost Garden The Restoration of an Edwardian Masterpiece
was published by Garden Art Press in 2000 ISBN 978 1 87067 380 8,
price £ 25.00.
This book gives an amusing and well illustrated account of the garden’s history and its restoration (with, adds her husband, John, all its trials, tribulations and lessons).
Rosamund Wallinger's second book, Gertrude Jekyll. Her Art Restored at Upton Grey
ISBN 978 1 87067 377 8, price £30.00 was published in 2013.
It provides a comprehensive record of Gertrude Jekyll’s art and her planting at Upton Grey. Illustrations include almost every plant, each of the 19 area plans, and copies of Miss Jekyll’s Munstead Wood Nursery’s list of the plants she supplied for this garden together with their price and quantity
Opening Times
OPEN May, June and July, Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm.
CLOSED Weekends and Bank Holidays.
The admission fee of £8 includes the printed guide with plant lists and map. For groups of Ten or more morning coffee/ tea can be included for a total of 10 pounds per person.
International calls please phone
00 44 1256 862827
UK calls 01256 862827