England's Gardens by Stephen Parker

Discover the iconic and enduring beauty of English gardens, the people who made them, and the legacy they leave

We may all feel we know what an “English” garden is, but do we really? England’s Gardens offers a holistic, modern-day tour and an update on the history of some of the most iconic, enduring, and influential gardens across the country.

A fresh take on a much-loved subject, this book will help you get to know England’s gardens up close and personal. Garden historian Stephen Parker leads you through England’s horticultural history, unearthing the cultural context and hidden stories behind the gardens, and bringing lesser-known garden makers to the fore. In five detailed historical essays, Parker explores the making of the so-called  “English” garden – from its origins in the formal splendour of stately homes, all the way to climate-change resilience and future-facing designs of the modern era.

Discover the best gardens to visit today – with garden case studies showcasing everything England’s gardens have to offer through stunning contemporary photography and careful analysis of planting schemes and garden makers’ creative influences. From iconic sites like Sissinghurst and Great Dixter, to more unusual examples such as Plaz Metaxu and the Laskett – this book celebrates England’s gardens in all their glorious diversity, sublime beauty, and exuberant eccentricity.

Steve Parker is a garden historian lecturing at Cardiff University, on the BA, Post Grad and lifelong learning courses. Originally working in high street retail for Conran Habitat in the 1980s and 1990s, since 2000 he has focused on garden history and lives in Cardiff. A keen enthusiast of the modern house and garden, his passion extends throughout all of garden history, understanding the context and impact gardens, plants, design and people have had on our cultural history. He’s worked for Cardiff University for the past 11 years and visits more than 100 gardens a year. He has 4,000 followers on Twitter and used to run a popular blog (stephengparker.blogspot.co.uk) which he plans to start again in 2022.



Author Residence: UK

Author Hometown: Cardiff