Melbourne Hall Garden

'Perhaps the most beautiful book to cross my desk this year.' – The Spectator

'A spectacular book about a historically important garden, bravely and sensitively brought back to life.' – House and Garden

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.