Hidcote

During one of my fieldtrips with Stephen Crisp, we visited the lovely Hidcote Manor Garden. Little is known of the 40 years of work that Lawrence Waterbury Johnston spent creating Hidcote.

The mysterious designer kept little in the way of records, and wrote no articles on his landscape. From just a handful of beech trees, and old cedar, and an open field, Johnston managed to create and intricate and brilliantly designed garden that designers are still studying today. The garden is as complex in design as any house; it consists of many garden rooms and corridors that are accentuated with lush, colorful plantings.

There is no set route around Hidecote which can become confusing to some visitors; however, this style allows for the discovery of secret areas seemingly tucked away from major pathways. There is a certain geometric logic that anchors Hidcote. This can best be seen in the 2 great corridors which stretch out in right angles. A breathtaking addition to Hidcote is how certain gardens open up to magnificent views of the Vale of Evesham.

Hidcote was obtained by the National Trust in 1948, and holds some significance as being the first property bought solely on the impact of the garden. Indeed, the National Trust “learned to garden” by their addition of Hidcote.

During my visit to Hidcote, there was a slight rain which gave the garden a certain ethereal quality. I cannot describe how much I enjoyed my visit, and having the head gardener of the Winfield House by my side to explain the finer points of the garden’s design was a real treat.