High Glanau Gardens

High Glanau Gardens, in Monmouthshire, was commissioned by Henry Avray Tipping, a wealthy architectural historian and garden designer. As architectural editor of Country Life for 17 years, he made the magazine essential reading for anyone interested in Britain’s great country houses. After WWI he commissioned his ideal ‘cottage’, High Glanau, built in the Arts & Crafts style in 1922. It became his country residence in his later life. Tipping, who had no family of his own, was central to the lives and work of such distinguished garden designers as William Robinson, Gertrude Jekyll and Harold Peto. But he was also a garden designer, so the garden always took precedence over the house.

Wonderfully restored from 2002 onwards by the current owners, Helena and Hilary Gerrish, High Glanau is set in twelve acres of glorious gardens with expansive views over the Brecon Beacons. When they arrived at the property, they contacted Country Life to request if any photos existed of the gardens from the 1920s and 1930s. They were delighted to receive a large number of images from which they were able to recreate the layout and much of the planting.

The garden also includes many original features including formal terraces, steps leading down to an octagonal lily pool and an Edwardian glass house and pergola. Beyond the terraces and pool, with their spectacular views are winding paths leading through the woodland gardens planted with many shade-loving plants and rhododendrons.

Helena Gerrish is an expert on Avray Tipping and Arts & Crafts Gardens. She has written two books and numerous articles on this period of gardening history.

https://www.highglanaugardens.com/