Explore Tales of Forgotten Gardens: Uncover the Fascinating Histories of London's and the World's Misplaced Gardens in Two Fresh Publications
In the heart of London, where skyscrapers now stand tall and concrete dominates the landscape, lies a rich history of hidden and forgotten green spaces. Two new books, "London's Hidden Gardens" and "Lost Gardens of London", delve into this history, offering a glimpse into the city's horticultural past.
"London's Hidden Gardens", penned by an unnamed author, takes readers on a chronological journey, starting with the earliest recorded gardens at royal Sheen (later Richmond) Palace, completed in 1501. The book sheds light on the evolution and loss of London's green spaces, embedded in its urban fabric, focusing on historic gardens often hidden or forgotten.
On the other hand, Todd Longstaffe-Gowan's "Lost Gardens of London" explores gardens that have disappeared or been transformed over time. The book highlights historic gardens in London, such as estate gardens in Middlesex from the 17th century, as depicted in artworks like Jan Siberechts’s "View of a House and its Estate in Middlesex (1696)".
Sandra Lawrence's "Lost Gardens of the World" offers a broader perspective, covering gardens that have vanished or been altered across the globe. The book is beautifully illustrated and complemented by colourful, attractive, and distinctive illustrations rather than photographs. It includes entries on gardens as diverse as Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest estate, Fontana Rosa at Menton on the French Riviera, the part-restored Garden of Dreams in Kathmandu, and the garden at the Madinat al-Zahra, one of Spain's oldest Islamic gardens.
In October 2024, the Garden Museum will host an exhibition, "Lost Gardens of London", showcasing these hidden gems from the city's past. The book does not provide an overall theme, but the notion of 'spectacle' could be inferred as a recurring theme since many London gardens were made to impress.
For instance, the chapter on pleasure gardens in "Lost Gardens of London" includes the lesser-known White Conduit House in Pentonville, which had a cricket pitch, a model church, and was said to have a superior horticultural display to Vauxhall. The book also mentions the Notting Hill racecourse, which flourished for a few years west of the Portobello Road.
The book also touches upon doomed enterprises such as the menageries of exotic animals and birds found at Oxford Street and Earl's Court in the mid 19th century. It even refers to the 18th-century Peerless Pool, an open-air swimming spot with an adjacent fishing pond, located on the north side of Old Street.
Todd Longstaffe-Gowan's work extends beyond London, with his book "English Garden Eccentrics" focusing on garden curiosities within the M25 area. The books offer fun and detailed descriptions of historical gardens and enterprises, making them engaging reads for both general readers and garden enthusiasts alike.
References:
- View of a House and its Estate in Middlesex (1696)
- Lost Gardens of London
- Lost Gardens of the World
- English Garden Eccentrics
- In the heart of London, amidst tall skyscrapers and concrete landscapes, lie hidden gardens rooted in the city's past, a history explored in books such as "London's Hidden Gardens" and "Lost Gardens of London".
- For gardening and history enthusiasts, along with general readers, the books "Lost Gardens of London" and "English Garden Eccentrics" provide fun and detailed descriptions of unique gardens and historical enterprises.
- Expanding beyond London, Todd Longstaffe-Gowan's book "English Garden Eccentrics" delves into peculiar gardens and curiosities within the M25 area.
- In the world of home-and-garden books, "Lost Gardens of the World" offers a broader perspective, showcasing vanished or altered gardens across the globe with attractive illustrations that emphasize its lifestyle appeal.
