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New Gardens Show Mount Grace Priory Through History

Celebrated gardener Chris Beardshaw lends gold medal-winning flair to Arts and Crafts design while meticulous research revives the only surviving monk's cell garden in England.

A new Arts and Crafts garden, designed by celebrated gardener Chris Beardshaw, is among the new features of the revived Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens.

The new garden also showcases an example of a monk's cell garden which is believed to be the only example in the country.

Chris Beardshaw, fresh from winning Gold and Best in Show at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, found inspiration from the Arts and Crafts style established at Mount Grace by the Victorian industrialist and patron of the arts, Sir Lowthian Bell. Bell's granddaughter, the spy and traveller Gertrude Bell, also spent weekends at Mount Grace. 

Chris' garden has been designed to celebrate the horticulturally diverse gardens of the late 19th century. It features an array or Iris, Peonies, ferns, Azaleas, Hostas, Primulas and rarities such as Chilean fire bush. 

English Heritage Head of Gardens and Landscape John Watkins said:

'Mount Grace Priory is a very special place, appearing as a genteel English manor house from the front, you step through the house to reveal the expansive remains of the priory behind. 

By restoring its gardens we hope we can offer visitors a far richer experience of the property's intriguing double life. With Chris Beardshaw's planting design we have been able to reveal the exuberance of the arts and crafts planting and create a great garden for plant enthusiasts.' 

Arts And Crafts at Mount Grace Priory

Visitors will see that Chris' designs have established a horticultural link between the house and garden, using much of the existing landscape architecture at the front of the house.

The house was the home to Sir Lowthian Bell, created from the abbot's guest house of the original priory, and inside the décor reflected the industrialist's love of the Arts and Crafts movement with commissions from designers such as William Morris.

Outside, Chris has created a series of 'rooms' so that the Arts and Crafts interior spills into the garden.

Read our blog for more information about the history of Arts and Crafts gardens and how to spot them.

Click here for full press release

 

Channel website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Original article link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/new-gardens-at-mount-grace-priory

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