Anyone who has been following me for a while may have picked up on the fact that I am a keen fan of Sir Edwin Lutyens (architect) and Gertrude Jekyll (garden designer) names synonymous with the creation of the English Country Garden style. When I was in East Kent some years ago and heard about the secret gardens of Sandwich I was intrigued.
- The Salutations
The Secret Gardens of Sandwich are encircled by the old stone city walls and within this plot is a Grade I manor house, the Salutations, designed by Lutyens in 1911 and now a luxury hotel. He also created the gardens with the help of Jekyll and, although neglected for many years, it has been wonderfully restored and is open to the public.
Typical of of a Lutyens and Jekyll garden you will find brick paths and herbaceous borders planted with lilies, lupins and lavenders, “rooms” with their own character and plenty of visual surprises and unexpected views.
My visit was in early September when the main highlight was the dahlias – from small delicate patio flowers to huge full-blown dinner plates.
Earth laughs in flowers 
Wow what a treasure to find and a phenomenal job restoring!
It is a lovely garden, not big, but full of lovely plants and colour so the sort of place I can easily wander, camera in hand, for an hour or two 🙂
Amazing job!!!
A good restoration – house and gardens!
Oh my what a beautiful place!
It is very pretty, thanks for the comment 🙂
Glorious 🙂 I too love Gertrude Jekyll! Have you ever been to the Museum of Garden Design at Lambeth?
No, I have never heard of it – is it worth a visit then?
Yes it is 🙂 It’s only small but quite fascinating! It’s in the Church by Lambeth Palace and next to the bridge. I exhibited there once 🙂 http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/
I shall look it up and make a note for whenever I am next in London! Thanks Sarah 🙂
Pleasure 🙂 Enjoy!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome. I love gardens and sharing them 🙂
I wish my garden was a 10th of that one. It is majestic!
Yup! I’d like a little bit too.
Ha, I kind of thought so.
Knew I would have! You’ve changed the look on here too. Soothing green. This looks a nice one 🙂
Yes, I thought it was due an annual review! I don’t post as often on here now, but it’s still nice to show off some of my flower photos.
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You must have visited at a similar time to my last visit, Jude, as there were many more of these lovely sculptures then. I think the artist in residence has now moved on, but they really added to the planting of dark-leaved dahlias. It is a gorgeous garden, isn’t it? And September is a perfect time to visit.
Nice to have another look at this. 🫠💗
Yes. A shame it is no longer open to the public.