Explore the captivating ambiance of the Bloomsbury Group within the picturesque, quaint-style garden at Charleston
Charleston Farmhouse Garden: A Vibrant Haven of Art and Nature
Nestled in the heart of East Sussex, the Charleston Farmhouse garden is a living testament to the artistic vision of the Bloomsbury Group. This historically significant garden was transformed by artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant upon their arrival in 1916, creating a dynamic, decorative, and carefully planted living artwork that reflects their modernist aesthetic.
The garden's lush, colorful planting is a standout feature, particularly in summer when it is awash with hollyhocks and other traditional English garden flowers. The garden's design complements the farmhouse's interior art, creating a continuous artistic and sensory experience that delights visitors.
One of the garden's most notable features is its vibrant atmosphere, often described as a place that "dances in the sun," inviting visitors to capture its beauty through photography or paintbrush. Despite being less sprawling than some other historic artist’s gardens, Charleston is celebrated for its dense planting and rich sensory qualities.
Notable plants in the garden include climbing roses 'Paul's Lemon Pillar' and 'Mermaid' on the front facade, and the apple 'Beauty of Bath' in the garden room window. Self-seeders like Anthriscus sylvestris, Silene dioica and Valeriana officinalis fill in the gaps, giving the garden incredible dynamism.
Harry Hoblyn, the current head gardener at Charleston, who took over in spring 2020, sees gardening as an art form and himself as a creative custodian of the land. Harry doesn't irrigate the garden but will water plants if necessary. He favors heritage roses from Vanessa Bell's time at Charleston, but makes an exception for the 2017 David Austin introduction R. Vanessa Bell.
Charleston hosts three festivals: the Charleston Festival in May, July's Festival of the Garden, and September's three-day Queer Bloomsbury. The garden admission is free, and more information can be found on charleston.org.uk or by calling 01323 811626.
Each of Charleston's head gardeners since the 1980s restoration has had a unique approach to gardening, but they all share a commitment to maintaining the garden's legacy in a changing climate and increasing public engagement. The future of the garden involves continuing to nurture its artistic heritage while adapting to the challenges of a changing world.
Visitors to Charleston can explore the garden's herbaceous layer, which is open for artistic interpretation, based on what Bell and Grant might have liked to have grown. The garden's address is Firle, East Sussex BN8 6LL, and it is open Wednesday - Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays), 10am-5pm. Whether you're an art lover, a gardening enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, the Charleston Farmhouse garden offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
[1] Charleston Trust. (2022). History. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/about/history
[2] Charleston Trust. (2022). Garden. Retrieved from https://www.charleston.org.uk/visit/garden
[3] The Telegraph. (2016). Charleston: the Bloomsbury garden that's still a riot of colour. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardens/11778473/Charleston-the-Bloomsbury-garden-thats-still-a-riot-of-colour.html
[4] The Guardian. (2016). Charleston: a Bloomsbury garden that's still a riot of colour. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jul/14/charleston-bloomsbury-garden-east-sussex-uk-vanessa-bell-duncan-grant
- The Charleston Farmhouse garden, a living artwork created by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, is not only a testament to the artistic vision of the Bloomsbury Group, but also a vibrant haven for horticulture and gardening enthusiasts.
- The garden's landscape, filled with plants like 'Paul's Lemon Pillar' and 'Mermaid' roses, 'Beauty of Bath' apple trees, and self-seeders such as Anthriscus sylvestris, Silene dioica and Valeriana officinalis, offers a rich tapestry for home-and-garden and gardening aficionados.
- The garden, a key part of the lifestyle at Charleston, is a place where the arts and nature coexist, inviting visitors to indulge in the sensory experience of both gardening and the garden's artwork.
- As a creative custodian of the land, current head gardener Harry Hoblyn views gardening as an art form, much like the paintings within the farmhouse, and works to preserve and adapt the garden in a changing climate while engaging the public in its beauty and history.
