By kind invitation of Lady Caroline Egremont.

Climbing roses creating fragrant walks, stretches of Rosa mutabilis, eglantine and honeysuckle.  A delight for all the senses with a magical combinations of flowers.  Many gardens within one very large 6-acre walled garden. This private garden of Lady Caroline Egremont is one not to be missed.  

Lady Egremont attributes much of this garden’s success to Fred Streeter, who became Head Gardener at Petworth House in 1929, when he was 50 years old. Fred was responsible for the eight-acre kitchen garden, ten glasshouses, 200 acres of grounds, a woodland garden and a staff of 35 gardeners. From a bothy boy to a journeyman, then to the famous nursery James Veitch & Sons in Chelsea, Fred was trained to exacting Edwardian standards. Petworth was famous for the standard of fruit and vegetables grown there.

By the 1970s much of the garden had changed and Lady Egremont set about to restore / reimagine the garden. She was greatly influenced by garden designer John Brookes, whom she studied under at Kew. This is particularly evident in the central gravel garden with its circular spring-fed pool and its relaxed Mediterranean planting. Now only two glasshouses remain but the walled garden still produces vegetables and now has an ornamental garden where Lady Egremont has gardened for over 40 years, adding her own personal touch to those of the past.

Guided tour of the gardens with Lady Egremont and Head Gardener. Refreshments will be served at the end of the tour.

 SGT Members only : £24.00pp (inc. refreshments)
Proceeds to The Gardens Trust (Lady Egremont is a Trustee).

Please note that this special visit is not associated with National Trust Petworth House.

Maximum number: 40 people