The British Love Affair with Gardens: James Alexander-Sinclair's Top Garden Destinations

Hidden Heritage

Welcome to Hidden Heritage! In this episode, Lady Violet Manners is thrilled to bring you a conversation with the legendary gardener, broadcaster, and writer, James Alexander-Sinclair. James is one of the foremost garden designers on the planet, having designed gardens from Cornwall to the Western Isles, from London to Moscow. He is also an award-winning writer, frequent broadcaster, and served 10 years as a member of the council of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Join us as we explore:

1. James's Journey: From his accidental start in gardening to becoming a renowned garden designer and broadcaster.
2. The British Love for Gardening: Insights into why gardening is so deeply embedded in British culture and the challenges it faces today.
3. Designing Gardens: The principles of garden design and the importance of adapting gardens to their architectural and environmental context.
4. Top Garden Destinations: James shares his top three garden destination recommendations and what makes them special.

Key Points

• 00:00:04 - Introduction of James Alexander-Sinclair and his background.
• 00:01:26 - James describes his multifaceted career in gardening.
• 00:02:55 - How James's passion for gardening began.
• 00:04:19 - Transition from city gardens to larger countryside projects.
• 00:06:53 - Principles of garden design and the importance of context.
• 00:09:21 - James's first destination recommendation: Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall.
• 00:16:12 - The role of storytelling in garden design.
• 00:18:15 - Current projects and the importance of forward-thinking in garden design.
• 00:24:52 - The significance of gardens in historic houses.
• 00:30:27 - James's second destination recommendation: RHS Hyde Hall in Essex.
• 00:41:44 - The future of gardening and the impact of climate change.
• 00:50:02 - James's third destination recommendation: Rousham House and Gardens in Oxfordshire.
• 01:00:35 - Conclusion and where to find more information about James and his work.

Guest Info

James Alexander-Sinclair

is a renowned garden designer, writer, and broadcaster. With a career spanning several decades, James has designed gardens across the globe and contributed extensively to gardening literature and media. He is a regular columnist for Gardener's World Magazine and has presented numerous gardening programs for the BBC.

About

Step inside Britain’s greatest Historic Houses, gardens, and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.heritagexplore.com

Links and Resources

• James Alexander-Sinclair's Website
• Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
• RHS Hyde Hall
• Rousham House and Gardens

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