Great Chalfield in Wiltshire was built a year before the birth of Henry VIII, so it was still sparkling when he came to the throne at the age of 18. Playing the part of the Cromwell family home in the TV adaptation of Wolf Hall, Chalfield is a National Trust property, lived in and passionately gardened by its current "resident donors."
Above: Wiltshire is a county in southwest England which is heaving with National Trust properties; Lacock Abbey (home of the Seymours in Wolf Hall) is 15 minutes away. Wide valleys and rolling greens characterize the countryside.
Above: Currently in use as a well-appointed apple store, the gazebo (read: "gaze-about") was a key feature of Tudor gardens. Nestled into the outer edge of the upper terrace, it commands a view of the house, the lake below, and the countryside beyond.
Low-growing alpine plants as well as the occasional spire of verbascum (as shown Above), punctuate the path while relaxing the formality.
Above: Beyond candlelight (and plot), Wolf Hall is about texture. Exterior walls are laden with roses, wisteria, and vines. The ironstone of Wiltshire is a sublime backdrop for any color put against it.
Above: The Tudor building was re-imagined in 1912 when the interiors as well as the gardens were given an Arts-and-Crafts shakeup. A dilapidated 15th century property would have been a heavenly project for any self-respecting Pre-Raphaelite and artist to have had a go with the garden. Great Chalfield is therefore happily layered: the original model, its early 20th century version and the current approach.
Above: One of several loggias at Great Chalfield which appear at crossroads and require passing through at some point while traveling around the garden. According to Patsy Floyd who lives on the National Trust property with her husband Robert, the loggias were tall and pointy when they arrived, echoing the steeple of the church which is very much in view from this upper terrace of the garden. A gardening novice when she arrived, it was already clear that lines had to be softened.
Above: Happy shade residents Allium nectaroscordum and a carpet of sweet woodruff.
National Trust resident donors make a deal on handing over their property, to live there (sometimes "in perpetuity" which is the case at Sissinghurst). Here the residents take a very active part in the garden as well as the main house.
Above: A well-stocked fish pond was an essential feature to a manor garden, both for food and sport. This pond is linked to a moat, delightfully surrounded by informal meadow planting.
Above: Red campion is a classic English wildflower that makes an appearance in woodland areas from early spring. The meadows around the water at Great Chalfield and in the orchard may owe more to Arts-and-Crafts ideas, but it's a version of Tudor which really works.
Above: Long walks or allées are a feature of Tudor gardens. This one is on the middle terrace, running along the side of the house. It was possible to immerse oneself in the outdoors without getting muddy, while remaining within close dashing distance of the house in case of rain.
For more Tudor inspiration, see:
- Wolf Hall: 12 Garden Ideas to Steal from Henry VIII./li>
- Helmingham Hall in Suffolk: Shouldn't Every Garden Have a Moat?
- Front Door Fashion: 9 Ways to Create Curb Appeal with Boxwood.
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