MY VISIT TO NYMANS
Visiting Nymans was a last minute decision. We were en route from London to Gravetye Manor in East Sussex and Nymans happened to be on the way. Being a Bank holiday in the UK, the place was crowded and it took some patience and lurking in order to achieve these photos!
Developed by three generations of the Jewish Messel family, Ludwig Messel left Germany and bought the estate in the late 19th Century and set about improving the house and planning an Arts and Crafts inspired garden. His head gardener was James Comber who helped establish plant collections, developing many original sports and hybrids unique to Nymans. William Robinson also helped in the planning of the wild garden. I was interested to hear this as William Robinson was responsible for developing and designing the beautiful garden at Gravetye where we were headed.
The garden reached it's peak in the 1930's and was regularly opened to the public. Unfortunately, there was a disastrous fire in the house in 1947, and the house today survives as a garden ruin. Upon Leonard Messel's death in 1953, the garden was left to the National Trust. The Great Storm of 1987 wreaked havoc and 486 mature trees were lost as well as many shrubs. Restorations are on-going. Despite the fact that the famous herbaceous borders were not yet in flower, we still enjoyed the garden immensely, although the low light was not ideal for taking photos.
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| A wonderful Wisteria Walk |
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| The Dovecote |
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| A section of the house where the roof is still in tact. |
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| This magnificent Copper Beech is apparently over 200 years old.. |
As tragic as the fire was, there is something hauntingly beautiful about the ruins within the garden. Once again beautiful photos, I particularly love the dovecote - look forward to more of your wonderful trip - safe travels
ReplyDeleteI agree Kim... the ruin whispers about what once was ... I was struck by the beauty of the garden...which seems to echo the love that created it...
DeleteJenny, your beautiful photos evoked a couple of special memories for me. The first was visiting a friend in Yorkshire a couple of years ago around this time and my comment to her-ad nauseam-"Its so lush, so green!!!"Your photos are just that- so lush and green and after our Australian summer the colours of the English gardens and the green is really something. Nymans is so beautiful and haunting amongst the ruins, another garden I visited some time ago was Ninfa gardens in Italy set amongst ruins- certainly more ruined than the home of Nymans, but I was struck with such beauty of the garden when the inhabitants had long gone and how special it was for the legacy to live on.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny, look forward to your next instalment
Marilyn
Thanks so much Marilyn .... I am overwhelmed by the beauty of England ... I had forgotten just how lovely it all is. We have been lucky with the weather - chilly but no rain (yet)!!. Nymans was, as you say, hauntingly beautiful!. We are going to Hidcote today amongst others. Can't wait!! xxx
ReplyDeletewhat a stunning fairy tale garden J! It's magical and parts of it look a bit Highgrove-eque! You are lucky. Enjoying your snaps xx
ReplyDeleteThis garden was magical K .... there was so much evidence of the love and devotion involved in it's creation. The Dovecote was the sweetest thing and the remaining trees and lawns also breathtaking. xxx
DeleteIt is so annoying with the low light because then you need a pro to fix the lighting! I go through this so often! It is so lovely and I need to start planning a trip to these gardens! xx
ReplyDeleteYou would love them Naomi! Whatever you do do not miss Hidcote!! xxx
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ReplyDeleteFrom Isabel: "Dear Grandma, I want to give you a big, big cuddle. I am sad the house burnt down. The garden is beautiful, can I run on the grass? Please can we give you one kiss."
ReplyDeleteFrom Isabel's Mum: I just finished reading your blog post to Isabel and she loved seeing the gorgeous photos. It looks beautiful at Nymans! We are off to the Chelsea blog now. xxx
How lovely to see you here darling Isabel and Kristiina! So glad you enjoyed it and one day we'll walk around some of these gardens together! xxx
DeleteThe deleted post had a typo! I couldn't leave it there :)
ReplyDeleteOf course!! :)) xx
DeleteHi Jenny, your photos are brilliant and you capture the magic of the garden better than anyone----next best thing to being there. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Howard. This garden was truly special. I spoke to a couple of the volunteers who all expressed a great love and respect for the Messel family who created the garden. As with all great gardens, it is the spirit of their creators that one endeavours to understand and remember.
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