Other Publications

WHGT member Ann Benson has written a book on Troy House in Monmouthshire. Dr Paula Henderson, architectural and garden historian writes:

This exhaustive study of Troy House, its historic gardens and estate is a model for scholars of garden history, employing all possible methods of research from unpublished manuscripts to modern archaeological techniques. Generously illustrated and rigorously argued, Benson’s book traces the ownership of this seemingly modest Welsh estate from powerful medieval lords, through the Earls of Pembroke and especially the Somerset family (Earls of Worcester and later Dukes of Beaufort) and finally to a small order of French nuns in the twentieth century. Benson’s fascinating book teases out the contributions made by them all.

Henry Avray Tipping (1855-1933) was a wealthy architectural historian and garden designer. As Architectural Editor of Country Life he made it essential reading for everyone interested in Britain's great country houses, their furnishings and their gardens. Tipping restored a bishop's palace for himself and his mother and built one of the last important country-houses in which to entertain the Edwardian great and good. After the First World War Tipping commissioned his ideal 'cottage'. Always the garden came first; each was a perfect Edwardian idyll.

A fine gardener herself, Helena describes Tipping's own Momnouthshire gardens at Mathern Palace, Mounton House and her own High Glanau Manor, as well as gardens he designed for others, notably at Chequers and Darrington Hall. Tipping, who had no family of his own, was central to the lives and work of such distinguished garden designers as Robinson, Jekyll and Peto. On his death he ordered his papers to be destroyed and left his considerable fortune to his gardener.

Historic Parks and Gardens in Ceredigion by Caroline Palmer, Penny David and Ros Laidlaw was first published in 2004 and now is available in a second edition.

The publishers, The Ceredigion Branch of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust, are delighted to have sold the entire first print run of 750 copies in less than two years.

The reprint has given the authors the opportunity to update certain entries in the light of new information which has come to light as a result of readers’ knowledge. The selection of 31 gardens described in detail remains the same, but as Caroline says: “Real enthusiasts who have already purchased a copy may also want the second imprint, for they will find significant amendments in the entries concerning Trawsgoed, Cilgwyn, Glandyfi Castle and Tanybwlch. It was also particularly exciting to be able to incorporate a newly-discovered architect’s design, believed to be by Thomas F. Pritchard for Penglais mansion. At Trawgoed also, a damaged estate map of 1756 has now been painstakingly restored by the National Library of Wales and can be reproduced in this edition and more accurately interpreted”.

The book is distributed through the Welsh Books Council and costs £12. This means that it should be readily available to order through any bookshop (ISBN 0-9547525-0-3). Copies can also be obtained from the authors as before.

Historic Gardens of the Vale of Glamorgan edited by Hilary M Thomas

ISBN: 978-0-9558021-0-2 Format: Hardback, 242x198 mm, 251 pages
Published by South and Mid Glamorgan Branch of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

This book explores and celebrates the diverse garden history of the Vale of Glamorgan from the sixteenth century to the present day.
This publication includes the well known, Duffryn, St Fagans, the once great gardens of St Donats Castle and Dunraven Castle as well as the gardens whose names are less familiar. Many interesting gardens are in private ownership and not open to the public but have a fascinating history such as the long and complex history of the Nash Manor garden which mirrors the history of the house; the garden at Merthyr Mawr House where little has changed since its creation two hundred years ago; Craig-y-Parc, Pentyrch an Arts and Crafts garden; and The Court, St Fagans where Gertrude Jekyll once advised the owners on planting. Many of these gardens are described for the first time. The Court is now amongst the lost gardens of the Vale whose history and ultimate decline can be traced alongside others in this sad category including The Ham and Dimlands, both in Llantwit Major. There are also the 'sleeping' gardens at Plas Llanmihangel where the original design is still preserved and Plas Llantrithyd where the once magnificent garden now lies buried, barely discernible beneath the ground.

Price £25 plus £5 p&p

Available from Val Caple, Milestone, Penllyn, Cowbridge, CF7 7RQ.

email: val.t.caple@care4free.net

Please make cheques payable to 'Welsh Historic Gardens Trust'

Troy House

Edwardian Country Life - H. Avray Tipping

Historic Parks and Gardens in Ceredigion

Historic Gardens of the Vale of Glamorgan