'Spectacular' 20th century garden opens gates
7 April 2011
Garden visitors in West Sussex get the much-anticipated chance to see behind the gates of one of the country's finest 20th century gardens this month, as Woolbeding House, near Petersfield, former home of philanthropist and art collector Sir Simon Sainsbury, opens to the public for the first time.
Sir Simon was tenant of the National Trust-owned house with his partner, Stewart Grimshaw, from the 1970s until his death in 2006. During that time he entirely restored and reinterpreted the 18th-century gardens, guided by landscape architect Lanning Roper.
The result is a series of 'rooms' encompassing sweeping formal areas, with expansive flower borders, a herb garden, potager, fountain garden and Mediterranean-style terrace planted with figs and walnuts.
Sir Simon later also worked with high-profile modern designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman, known for their sense of theatre, to add a woodland area known as the 'fantasy garden', including a ruined abbey, Chinese bridge, stumpery and cascades watched over by a river god. The Bannermans still continue to work on the garden, collaborating with water sculptor William Pye to create a new pool garden at the entrance.
'It was Simon's wish to open the garden to the public,' says Julia Barker, who manages the garden for the National Trust. 'Having created this, he thought it would be really nice to share it. When we took back the management of the garden there was no need to do any work on it: it was in an openable condition. He always kept it like that.'
Woolbeding House is open on Thursdays and Fridays only from April 7 until the end of September. Visitors should note there is no on-site parking, except for disabled parking (for which booking is required in advance).