The Garden Museum in Lambeth, London features three annual exhibitions on gardening in England and notable British gardeners throughout history. It also has a 17th-century style knotted garden designed by the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury in honor of John Tradescant, a master gardener and planter. The museum is located in St. Mary’s Church and is run by volunteers and a small horticultural staff. The garden was built around the gravestones embedded in the ground and includes winter and spring bulbs, herbs, and pedigreed roses. Queen Elizabeth attended the formal opening in 1978.
Visitors to London who enjoy history and gardens may want to include the Garden Museum in their itineraries. The museum is located in St. Mary’s Church in Lambeth and features three annual exhibitions revolving around gardening in England and notable British gardeners throughout history. The garden portion of the museum boasts a 17th-century style knotted garden designed by the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury in 17 and celebrating the grave of 16th-century master gardener and planter John Tradescant. The Garden Museum is located in the heart of London on the south bank of the River Thames and is run by volunteers and a small but dedicated horticultural staff.
At the time of the Garden Museum’s founding in the late 1970s, St. Mary’s was scheduled to be demolished. The creation of the museum saved the abandoned structure and the Tradescant cemetery. Tradescant is regarded as one of the foremost of British gardeners and plant hunters. His son, also a great plant breeder, is buried in the grave next to him, and the garden of knots which commemorates them includes some of the plants which Tradescant collected and kept in his garden.
Tulips, red maples and scarlet runner beans, now very well known and widespread, were introduced by John Tradescant the Elder. Even tourists with no particular interest in gardening are drawn to the museum’s unique lush garden to rest their eyes and feet from shopping and museums. Those entering the museum will find exhibits explaining and celebrating British gardening from its remote past to more contemporary styles. Historic artifacts, hand tools and other pieces are on permanent display.
There are a number of very old graves, so the plans for the garden which was built in 1980 and 1981 were difficult. The paths had to go around the gravestones that were embedded horizontally in the ground. Knot gardens are formal in nature, which is fitting given the intention to honor and replicate 17th century gardens, and were especially popular during the Tudor and Elizabethan periods.
The Garden Museum’s Garden of Knots makes clear its dedication to the Tradescants with cotton, lavender, T initials at each end. It is enclosed by the walls of St Mary’s Church and the walls of Lambeth Place. Planted for year-round interest, it includes winter and spring bulbs, such as snowdrops and crocuses, late spring tulips, and fritillary. Visitors will also find lilies, a range of herbs and pedigreed roses. In 1978, Queen Elizabeth attended the formal opening of the Garden Museum by cutting the ribbon.
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