Be one of the first to explore Munstead Wood, the former home of garden designer Gertrude Jekyll

Take a video tour of garden designer Gertrude Jekyll’s former home at Munstead Wood in Surrey, which isn’t open to visitors yet. Follow Head Gardener Annabell Watts along the winding paths to find out more about Jekyll’s vision.
Munstead Wood was acquired by the National Trust in April 2023. Its garden was originally created by Gertrude Jekyll in the 1880s with vibrant flowers, intricate footpaths and Victorian greenhouses. The design of this garden was ahead of its time due to the meticulously chosen architectural plants and colour schemes. Jekyll also worked with architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to build a house that could also be her workplace. Designed to look as if it rose from the ground, the house was completed with a dark room, workshop and flower shop to support Jekyll’s work.
The National Trust is restoring the Grade I-listed house and garden to reflect Jekyll’s original vision and make the property suitable for visitors. It’s thanks to your support that we’re able to look after places like this for everyone to enjoy for years to come.
You can find out more about our work at Munstead Wood on our website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visi...

[@libbysingscontrezzo8419]

When I saw Munstead Wood advertised for sale I was shocked that it was in private hands and not already owned by the RHS or National Trust. Good to know such an important place will be available for all to visit.

[@suekelleher2786]

Absolutely beautiful and so in tune with nature, I know you want to put the garden back to its original state but that swimming pool would make an excellent pond for the wild creatures(I see the birds were using it) Im sure the lady who owned it would approve! 😊

[@kathleenwilliamson174]

How wonderful to know Munstead Wood is going to be restored and to be enjoyed by so many yet to come. The appreciation involved, not so much work, but love invested.

[@claireangier3322]

I've visited the garden many times in the past, can't wait to have the complete experience! ❤

[@verenamaharajah6082]

My favourite shrub rose is ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ , and I’d love to visit her home. I always think how much I would like to have met her and enjoyed conversations about gardening.

[@kismit100]

Lovely head gardener

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

I look forward to visiting soon,it looks enchanting. I think it's a shame not to put a pond in the space where the swimming pool is now. I can't help feel that if Ms Jekyll were alive today she would do that. It is quite an outdated decision to clear leaves from borders as they are such an important habitat for overwintering creatures

[@jstokes912]

I agree and I was a bit jarred on both points. I noticed that, too. Jekyll was also very interested in (quote) "disappearing country crafts, which led to her collecting old household implements and recording their use. Her book Old West Surrey includes her photographs of illustrations and the old crafts and cottages she had seen in her travels around Surrey."And so I think that idea would have been expanded in sustainability, attracting beneficial insect and pollinators. On the one hand there is this idea of recreating the garden as it once existed, and yet it is a living garden, and has the opportunity to teach people today on new ways of gardening in harmony with nature as you describe, and that I am sure Jekyll would have been a champion.

[@hindolbittern]

Both very good points. I hope NT are taking note.

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

@@hindolbittern Yes I was rather suprised and disappointed

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

@@jstokes912 Yes,from what I know of her I think she would embrace wildlife friendly gardening if she was gardening now

[@stephenpoch6120]

I’m so excited to visit! Jekyll was a master of her craft. Cool to Hot! 💯

[@davidrabbit2239]

This place needs love and an understanding about gardens

[@tasswhitby3754]

Ditto! Can’t wait! Though wish NT would tone down the music in the video... grrr.

[@GaryB007]

Agreed. It is a bit OTT.

[@unojayc]

Beautiful garden and home, very well done!..♥

[@gwcnetwork3379]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@daniadejonghe4980]

Better to let the leaves lie and decay back into the earth. The trees returning their bodies to the soil, or at the very least composting them a bit and then returning them.

[@tonyadeney1245]

superb video again high quality well researched .... tick NT film crew -------- from wikipedia --- ---- she was one of the first of her profession to take into account the colour, texture, and experience of gardens as aspects of her designs. Jekyll's theory of how to design with colour was influenced by painter J. M. W. Turner and by Impressionism, and by the theoretical colour wheel. Her focus on gardening began at South Kensington School of Art, where she became interested in the creative art of planting, and more specifically, gardening. In 1904, Jekyll returned to her childhood home in the village of Bramley to design a garden for Millmead House in Snowdenham Lane. (more videos like this would be lovely - live in France now so difficult to visit but great to watch ... )

[@nationaltrustcharity]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lottiephillips7805]

This was a lovely video to watch. Thank you so much for making and presenting it so well. Makes me proud to be a NT member. Looking forward to coming to visit one day. Best wishes from Suffolk.

[@nationaltrustcharity]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidrabbit2239]

Sarah Raven comes to mind

[@gwcnetwork3379]

👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@user-ev1ty9pm8p]

Would it be totally against policy to convert the pool into a garden pond ?

[@nationaltrustcharity]

Hello, thank you for your interest. Final plans for this garden are still under consideration but at the moment, the intention is to restore things to the design created by Gertrude Jekyll, so that visitors can experience the garden in the way she intended. This will mean removing the swimming pool, however, there is a pond in another part of Miss Jekyll's garden.

[@user-ev1ty9pm8p]

@@nationaltrustcharity Ah, that's good to know :-) Thank you !

[@gwcnetwork3379]

Hi

[@johnmulvey5121]

Will the National Trust except cash? Not doing so disadvantages people who are disabled, people on low incomes, homeless and many older people.

[@sheilaackers3854]

I paid for a family membership in cash. Hope this helps.

[@johnmulvey5121]

Yes ,every little bit helps. We need to keep cash circulating, complain when they won't accept it etc. Well done thank you@@sheilaackers3854

[@davidrabbit2239]

😢