Explore the famous historical gardens of Melbourne Hall, widely considered one of the most treasured historical gardens in England.

The garden is admired for its natural tunnel made up of the sweeping branches of an ancient yew tree, as well as its wrought iron arbour created by Robert Bakewell (known as the ‘Birdcage’, which made Bakewell famous, but also left him penniless).

There have been few radical alterations to the gardens since the early 18th century. However, in the earlier part of the 20th century, extensive restoration was carried out. Now home to Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr, the garden remains a beautifully kept treasure. Lady Kerr has developed the garden and her eye for colour and detail means that the Melbourne Garden is a haven of delightful and unusual specimen trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders. Although still very much an 18th-century garden, the new planting schemes have introduced greater botanical interest.

Covering both the early history and more recent developments under its current owners, this stunning book contains numerous specially commissioned images by renowned garden photographer Andrea Jones, which show this spectacular garden through the seasons.

Jodie Jones is formerly the Features Editor of Gardeners' World Magazine, Desk Editor at The Daily Telegraph and Deputy Editor of Gardens Illustrated.

Foreword by Robin Lane Fox
Map
Introduction

1. In the Beginning
Francis Bacon on Early Seventeenth-Century Gardens

2. Thomas Coke: The Man and His World
The Kitchen Garden and Glass Houses

3. Garden Design in Thomas Coke’s Day

4. Thomas Coke and the Making of His Garden
The Visitors

5. The Melbourne Statues and Jan van Nost
Melbourne, Australia

6. Water and the Work of George Sorocold
Estate Maintenance

7. Wrought Iron and Robert Bakewell
Thomas Cook, the Melbourne Travel Agent

8. The Later Years
Later Visitors

9. A New Chapter
The Winter Garden

10. Painterly Plantings
Gertrude Jekyll on Artistic Border Design

11. Gardening with Trees

12. Future Plans