Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Emmetts Garden dates primarily from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, having been laid out from the 1890s for the owner Frederick Lubbock and developed in the early 20th century by the subsequent owner Charles Boise. The house at Emmetts dates to the mid 19th century, and was owned from 1893 by Frederick Lubbock (d.1926). The entire estate was taken over by the National Trust 1965.

Monument Types

• GARDEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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[Name TQ 47805250] Emmetts(NT) [NAT] (1) Late C19 and early C20 "wild" garden, mainly trees and shrubs, 2ha, in larger estate of wood and farmland, c.40ha. The house at Emmetts mid C19, owned from 1893 by Frederick Lubbock (d.1926). Estate taken over by National Trust 1965. Gardens at Emmetts developed in 2 stages by Frederick Lubbock from 1893 onwards, to south of house and now separate from house and its immediate garden area. [Full topographical description] LISTED GRADE II. Additional references, not consulted. (a)(b)(c) (2)

Emmetts Garden dates primarily from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, having been laid out from the 1890s for the owner Frederick Lubbock and developed in the early 20th century by the subsequent owner Charles Boise.

Parks and gardens online ID: 1254
DESCRIPTION
The 19th-century house overlooks a ‘plantsman'-type garden of unusual shrubs and trees, many of which date from the 19th century although regular additions are included.

The soils are an acidic loam and consequently many ericaceous shrubs, including numerous rhododendron and azalea species, thrive here. The siting of the gardens on top of a hill gives marvellous panoramic views, but unfortunately also meant that the grounds were devastated in the 1987 storm. The trees around the house were all blown down, with the exception of one large wellingtonia. However, most of the shrubs have survived, and still represent a marvellous collection. Included are species of magnolia, cornus, eucryphia, pieris, camellia and acers to name a few genera. Grass paths interweave between the specimens to allow close inspection.

Recent new additions are a formal rose garden, and a rockery with winding path leading down to a pool.

HISTORY
Site timeline
1964: The site was bequeathed to the National Trust.
1987: The garden was devastated by the 1987 storm.

Features
rockery
rose garden
Feature created: 1910
Formal design.
pool
(6)

Kent County Council, 1996, The historic parks and gardens of Kent (Kent Gardens Compendium) (Unpublished document). SKE12972.

<1> OS 6" 1970 (OS Card Reference). SKE48377.

<2> English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest, Part 24 Kent(May 1987) (OS Card Reference). SKE41619.

<3> Country Life (29 Dec 1983) 1893-98 (OS Card Reference). SKE39354.

<4> Thomas G S(1979)Gardens of the National Trust. 132-133 (OS Card Reference). SKE50560.

<5> Wright T(1978)Gardens of Britain 4. 37-39 (OS Card Reference). SKE51407.

<6> Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS), 2005, Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org) (Website). SKE16061.

Sources and further reading