Great garden days out in and
around the Metropolis
by Vivienne Lewis
WEEKEND
AWAY IN
LONDON
Fenton House, Hampstead – the Garden Museum, next
to Lambeth Palace – and Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
These gardens are quite spread out across the Metropolis, but
will give you a variety of interesting gardens with historic
buildings to visit, a bonus if the weather is chilly. The Garden
Museum, by the Thames, is now very smart after a massive
makeover.
Fenton House
This National Trust property sits at the top of Windmill Hill
above Hampstead village, and from it there is a view across
London on a fine day. Narrow lanes lead to the entrance,
fine old wrought iron gates bearing the initials of the first
merchant to live there, Joshua Gee.
A century after the house was built (the date 1693 is on a
chimney), another merchant, Philip Fenton moved in, and the
house is named after him. It was given to the National Trust
in 1952.
The magnificent entrance gates at Fenton House, Hampstead
From the top of the house the owner could look down and
across to the river where the ships arrived laden with goods
agapanthus and clipped Portugese laurels.
from abroad. The lower garden has steps down to a rose garden, with yew
The garden, with its formal lawns, topiary, orchard and
hedges and gravel paths, elegant seats and a statue of a
kitchen garden, occupies a luxurious acre of the capital’s
shepherd boy.
land. In early spring thousands of snowdrops can be seen on But in the spring there is plenty to see, with narcissi,
the South Walk, looking across from Windmill Hill. snakeshead fritillaries and anemones in the orchard area
The house has a collection of early instruments, most of
beyond the formal garden.
which are in working order and sometimes played, and a fine Location: Fenton House, Windmill Hill, Hampstead, London
exhibition of paintings including those that belonged to the NW3 6RT. 5 miles NW of central London in Hampstead village.
late Peter Barkworth, stage and TV actor. Georgian furniture, Visitors’ entrance on W side of Hampstead Grove. Mainline
porcelain, and examples of fine needlework are also on display. station: Hampstead Heath, one mile away. Underground:
Within the old brick walls, the formal garden near the house
Hampstead (Northern Line) 330 yards. Frequent local bus
has cones and ‘lollipops’ of yew and holly down one side
services (tel. 020 7222 1234). No parking on site.
of the lawn. The raised gravel walk was designed so that Open: 20th March – 31st October Sats. & Suns. 11am - 5pm.
one could see the pattern of flower beds and paths in the 24th March – 31st Oct. Weds. Thurs & Fri. 2pm – 5pm. Also
seventeenth century, but now the area is all laid to lawn. Bank Holiday Mons. & Good Friday 11am - 5pm.
In mid-summer the large wooden tubs are colourful with Admission: Free to NT members. Otherwise contact for
details by phone or email
Telephone: 01494 755563 (Infoline), 020 7435 3471
Email:
fentonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk
The Garden Museum
This is a ‘must-see’ for any gardener visiting London. On
the South Bank of the Thames, next to Lambeth Palace and
practically opposite the Houses of Parliament, the museum in
the former parish church of St. Mary-at-Lambeth celebrates
the story of British gardening.
A quiet corner in the sunken garden at Fenton House
42
Country Gardener
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