Gravetye Manor: Bringing William Robinson’s Wild Garden into the Modern Age

Join Head Gardener Tom Coward for a fascinating insight into the stewardship of Gravetye Manor, one of Britain’s most celebrated gardens and a place that continues to influence gardeners around the world. Once home to the legendary plantsman and writer William Robinson, Gravetye became the birthplace of the naturalistic gardening movement, championing a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between people, plants and nature.

Robinson’s pioneering ideas transformed garden design and inspired many of Ireland’s finest gardens, including the renowned gardens at Altamont in County Carlow. Today, under Tom Coward’s leadership, Gravetye Manor continues to embrace these principles through a thoughtful approach that works with nature rather than against it.

Tom will discuss how the garden is managed using the principles of gentle gardening—encouraging biodiversity, nurturing healthy soils, reducing intervention where possible and creating resilient landscapes that support wildlife throughout the seasons. He will also share his expertise on some of the outstanding plants that thrive at Gravetye Manor, highlighting exceptional performers, seasonal favourites and plants that combine beauty, resilience and ecological value.

This talk offers a wonderful opportunity to gain practical advice, planting inspiration and valuable insights from one of the UK’s leading gardeners. Discover how Gravetye Manor balances horticultural excellence, sustainability and ecological responsibility while remaining true to William Robinson’s (1838 – 1935) enduring vision of gardening in harmony with nature.