Brantwood in Bloom

This  exhibition is a celebration of over 200 years of evolution of Brantwood’s gardens and estate.  Not only do the gardens represent an important phase in the history of garden development, encompassing the evolution of the ‘Wild Garden’, but it remains a special place for the interpretation of Ruskin’s philosophies.

Brantwood’s gardens would continue to evolve over the years, overseen by innovative guardians – W.J. Linton, John Ruskin, Ruskin’s cousin Joan Severn, J.H.Whitehouse and the Brantwood Trust.  After the death of Arthur Severn in 1931 when the estate was put up for sale, nature rapidly took over and the network of woodland paths and gardens were lost under a jungle thicket. After a hiatus of dormancy during a large part of the 20th century, the gardens began to come alive again under the auspices of Head Gardener, Sally Beamish and continues today with Simone Daye and her team.

While we look back at an amazing year for Brantwood, winning a Gold Medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 and obtaining our Plant Heritage National Collection of  Wisteria, we also look forward to the opening of the newly restored Professors Garden in the Spring of 2027.

Watch this space!