Nymans
I think Nymans might be the first National Trust property I’ve been to where its all about the garden rather than the house. The garden is grade II listed, and the house is mostly a ruin.
View of the house from the South African bed
The 600 acre Nymans estate was bought by German emigre Ludwig Messel in 1879 and was occupied by his descendants, even after the devastating 1947 fire. It was handed over to the National Trust in 1953.
The summer borders
Unlike many houses devastated by fire this one has been left standing. It’s been cleverly planted with architectural and evergreen plants lending it the air of a gothic folly.
Architectural and evergreen exotic planting
If you go on the walking tour they will take you into a newly planted part of the great hall. It references Oliver Messel, the theatrical designer and Ludwig’s grandson, with corten screens and architectural planting, all in containers.
Tetrapanax, Cordyline and Wisteria
Yew topiary againt the house
The Forecourt Garden in front of the house is planted with topiary and naturalistic looking borders. In one corner is an attractive stone dovecote.
Achillea and scabious in the Forecourt Garden
Naturalistic planting in the Forecourt Garden
Topiary in the Forecourt Garden
The Dovecote
Ludwig Messell and his head gardener, James Comber, were avid plant collectors and breeders. The garden hosts many plants from the southern hemisphere, notably from Chile and Argentina. A large part of the garden is dedicated to plants from South Africa such as Dierama, Kniphofica, Berkheya, Watsonia and several Restios.
Berkheya and Dierama in the South African bed
The Rock Garden
The Rock Garden and lookout
The Rock Garden is a bit more rock star than your average 1970s effort, not least because of its scale. Aside from the expected heathers (many different varieties) but many Mediterranean plants like Santolina, Phlomis and the odd Trachycarpus thrown in for good measure.
The Rock Garden and Croquet Lawn
This is one of the very few National Trust gardens that I have really enjoyed. It is definitely worth another visit to see the Rose Garden, wildflower meadows, Wild Garden and the Wall Garden, all a bit earlier in the summer. The Pinetum is a really good example of its kind as well.
There are lots of opportunities for refreshments if you are not bringing your own picnic. I’d say it is one of the better NT cafes as well. Oh and there’s an excellent secondhand bookshop, definitely worth a look.