The stately parkland setting of historic Godinton House in Kent conceals an unforgettable surprise at its heart: a thrilling garden of lawns, borders and terraces encircled by one of the country’s longest yew hedges
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS NICOLA STOCKEN
The first tantalising glimpse of a historic English garden at its peak is one not to be forgotten. Such memories linger, not only for the magical all-embracing vistas, timeworn trees and secret serene spaces, but also because of a sense of spaciousness that allows the landscape to breathe, harking back to a time when space was plentiful and the pace of life much slower.
The gardens at Godinton House in Kent are no exception and, on entering through the yew arch on the eastern terrace, visitors are stopped in their tracks as the garden is revealed. “I was blown away by such a big sky and gardens that were so filled with light: it was completely unexpected,” recalls Sarah Lane, who first visited as a horticultural student and is now assistant head gardener.
Strolling through the 12 acres of landscaped grounds surrounding Godinton House feels like a journey back in time to the late Victorian era when the architect Reginald Blomfield designed the garden. Today, Blomfield’s layout largely endures, with its series of terraces and lawns all encircled by one of the longest yew hedges in the country.
Beyond the garden lies ancient parkland planted with oaks and chestnuts, while at its heart stands Godinton House, which dates back to the 14th century. The building has been much altered over the years, but there were only two major changes in family ownership until, in 1974, the last owner, Sir Alan Wyndham Green, founded the Godinton Charitable Trust to run the estate.
Today the gardens draw visitors from far and wide, especially in midsummer when the rose garden is in full flower. An unusual design with five irregularly shaped beds, it’s a glorious sight whether illuminated by the sun’s first rays, or just before dusk when birdsong echoes through the grounds. The maroon foliage of Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ creates a striking foil to some gorgeous roses: magenta-pink ‘Charles de Mills’, light pink ‘Ypsilanti’ and ‘Felicia’, and the clusters of deep pink flowers on the very large old shrub rose ‘Vanity’. “Keeping up with the deadheading is a challenge but, from mid-autumn, the roses
