The gardens of Court Lodge have changed a great deal since their Victorian heyday, but remain an oasis of great beauty and tranquillity.
It is believed the sunken garden was designed by the famous James Pulham & Son, well-known for constructing rockeries, ferneries, and elaborate water-gardens. Responsible for creations at notable locations such as Audley End in Essex, Broomhill and Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells; at Buckingham Palace for Edward VII, and St James’s Park and Sandringham for the Prince of Wales in 1868 and 1876, the name of ‘W C Morland of Court Lodge Lamberhurst’ is included amongst the list of prestigious clients in the 1868 order book of this distinguished firm.
“The pond never held water in the summer…but in the winter, we could ice-skate on it.”
Heather Dyke, Tales from A Kentish Manor House
There was once one full-time gardener for the sunken garden alone, and eight to maintain the whole garden well into the twentieth century, only coming to an end in the 1950s when new employment laws meant William Morland (1903-1987) could no longer afford so large a team and was forced to make a once-spectacular formal garden much lower maintenance.
At various points in its history the central walled garden has been a working Kitchen Garden – and is about to become so again, providing top-quality, seasonal produce exclusively for visitors enjoying exquisite fine dining, proudly brought to Court Lodge Estate courtesy of renowned Kent chefs.
Court Lodge Estate
Lamberhurst | Kent | TN3 8DU
For all enquiries please email:
estatemanager@courtlodgeestate.co.uk
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