A Gertrude Jekyll Masterpiece
Vann is a rare surviving example of a garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll, the influential plantswoman who, together with the architect Edwin Lutyens, defined the English Arts and Crafts garden style. Jekyll designed the water garden at Vann around 1911 for the Caroe family, who still own the property. The garden is listed Grade II on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens.
The water garden follows a stream through a series of pools edged with bold, naturalistic planting – irises, primulas, hostas and ferns arranged with the painterly eye that was Jekyll’s hallmark. Above it, a pergola dripping with wisteria and roses connects the house to the wider garden, where mixed borders, a yew walk and a wild garden blend seamlessly into the surrounding countryside.
Seasonal Opening & Character
Vann opens for the National Garden Scheme and by appointment, typically in spring and early summer when the water garden is at its best. The garden retains an intimate, personal character that is increasingly rare among properties open to the public – it feels like a garden that is still lived in and loved, rather than a museum piece.
The garden is located in Hambledon, between Godalming and Chiddingfold. Parking is in a field near the house. Home-made teas are served during NGS openings. The surrounding lanes offer pleasant walks through the greensand landscape, and the village pub, The Merry Harriers, is a short drive away.
