Thenford: The Creation of an English Garden

(Hardback)

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Description

This book is the story of one garden and one family, over a 40-year time period. In their own words, Michael and Anne Heseltine describe the ups and downs of how they set about transforming and expanding a wild, overgrown and often dilapidated woodland into the magnificent garden they have today. Today, the garden at Thenford has an arboretum which contains more than 3,500 different species of trees and shrubs, including rare plants which were wild-collected by well known plantsmen including Roy Lancaster OBE, Allen Coombes, Keith Rushforth and Chris Chadwell. It is also well-known for its sculpture garden, which has an eclectic collection of work ranging from a white marble Tazza fountain to an enormous statue of Lenin. Beautifully illustrated with both professional photographs and private family images, this personal story of the creation of an extraordinary garden will delight horticultural experts and novices alike.

Reviews

Full of rich photography, it is a celebration of four decades of horticultural triumphs and disasters... What comes shining through in this delightful book and also in the flesh, is just how much pleasure the Heseltines have had from watching their Thenford dream take shape' * Daily Mail *
A sumptuous collection of photographs and illustrations * Mail on Sunday *
A finely illustrated account of their work * Financial Times *
A handsomely produced book * The Spectator *
This richly illustrated coffee-table book explains the creative process in detail * Daily Mail *
A beautifully produced account of a massive project * Evening Standard *
Fascinating... what comes through clearly is how well the Heseltines work together as a team... What a garden and what a book!' * Country Life *
The most comprehensive account of the creation of an English garden that you are ever likely to have the privilege of reading... delightful, yet informative' * Gardens Illustrated *
Written in both their voices, each taking different chapters, with warmth, amusing anecdotes and respect for the people who have helped advise and craft it * Garden Design Journal. *
Will delight horticultural experts and novices alike * Welsh Border Life. *
This book is a feast for the eyes, bristling with ideas and practical solutions * House & Garden *
An excellent book... An illustrated history and well-documented account of the garden's creation' * English Garden *

Author Bio

Michael Heseltine is a former Deputy Prime Minister for the United Kingdom. He has been married to Anne Heseltine since 1962. Their joint passion has been working on the garden at Thenford, their family home since 1977.