Last updated on 02 February 12

Turn End Garden

Gardenvisit Editorial

An architect's garden designed in the 1960s, by Peter Aldington. The first space was 'an outdoor room', to which were added a glade and a number of small geometrical garden spaces. It is a good example of the Abstract Style, softened by an Arts and Crafts approach to planting and construction. Sir Peter Shepherd admired the garden.

Head Gardener's Comment

The garden was created as an integral part of a 1960s house, one of a group of three designed by Peter Aldington, now listed at grade 2*; one of only a handful of late 20th century houses to be so designated.

In less than an acre, space is used to create an illusion of size: a house courtyard with a naturalised pool; a small woodland area around 100 year old apple trees; a curving glade leading to a series of garden rooms, sunken or raised, sunny or shady, geometric or informal, yet all harmonious and unifying irregular geography with the buildings.

The garden and group of three houses is the subject of a book “ A Garden and Three Houses “ in which the late Sir Peter Shepherd commented ‘I know of no other garden which packs such riches into so small a space with such interesting and beautiful plants.’

This is a garden whose character changes constantly with the seasons. In spring the ground is carpeted by many bulbs, while the summer brings enclosure, herbaceous flowers, shrubs and climbers.

The future of Turn End Garden and its associated houses, other buildings and witchert walls has been secured by the formation of Turn End Charitable Trust. It has an Artist in residence, and the garden is at times used as a venue for other artists.

Address - Townside, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, England, HP17 8BG
Opening times - Garden Open: Monday 7 May 2012 and Sunday 9 September 2012, 2.00-5.30 pm; open for the National Gardens Scheme. Home made teas, plant and book sales. Adults £3.50, children £1.00. Further details in NGS yellow book or www.ngs.org.uk.

2012 Scannappeal Jubilee Charity Garden Open Day: Tuesday 15 May 2012, 2.00-5.00pm; teas, plant sales. Adults £4.00. Further details at www.scannappeal.org.uk/activities/jubilee-open-gardens Open Studio 9-24 June: Free displays and demonstrations by artists Heather Hunter & Jean Mold-Hart for Bucks Open Studios. See www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk for dates and times. Garden available for small donation.

Garden also open by appointment for parties of 10 or more at £5.00 each, to include a talk by the gardener or Peter Aldington. The house is open occasionally by arrangement.

Admission - NGS Open days £3.50 (Adult) / £1.00 (Child). Parties with talk £5.00 per person.