Mists of time

Immerse yourself in the atmospheric gardens at Nettlestead Place, where the past and present meet in a plantsman’s garden

- Leigh Clapp

There has been a home on the site of Nettlestead Place for more than 1,000 years. Bordering a prehistoric trackway, the atmospheric manor house you see today of weathered stone with mullioned windows has witnessed many changes.

In the 17th century part of the 13thcentury medieval house with its adjacent Saxon church was demolished for building material. It was even used as cattle byre, before a process of restorations in the 1920s brought it back to life as a home.

To frame the house, gardens were also laid out, including an avenue of Irish yews along the drive and a formal rose garden. Of particular note were the large medieval fishponds on the south face of the house, with Kentish ragstone edging and a low hedge. The ponds were also restored as a fascinating feature that allows shimmering reflections of the mellow stone and surrounding planting.

This short-lived phase came to an abrupt end however, when during and after the Second World War the gardens again fell into a state of decline.

The process of restoration was then undertaken enthusiastically by Roy and Annabel Tucker, who had a particular interest in land and nature. They bought the property in 1977 and moved down from London to begin work.

Embracing the wonderful open country views was important to them both while also introducing a wider plant range. Turning the loss of more than 40 trees from the 1987 hurricane into an opportunity for careful assessment of the garden was a further impetus for change.