A topiary pyramid avenue, crooked timber beams and secret gardens dotted with flowers, The Sculptor’s Gardens are a world of tranquillity in bucolic Herefordshire. An estate made up of twin properties, Hollyhocks and Atelier Rose, who’s characters have been forged on the foundations of family.
Purchased in the early 1990s from the Twinings family (of tea fame), owner Alex says, “The Sculptor’s Gardens have always been a very special place for my family, holding treasured memories for over four generations, but my son in particular, who grew up running around the orchard or playing Pooh Sticks on the bridge.”
“We have held Dickensian Christmases playing games around roaring log fires and have spent many a drawn-out evening playing cricket on the lawn at sunset.” Alex goes on to say, “A memory that we cherish very dearly is our wedding reception which we hosted on the large lawn; a truly magical experience.”
While Alex started renovations on the properties in 2018, his father worked on the impressive gardens from the moment he moved in twelve years earlier, “He transformed the garden, which had been used since the war solely for vegetables, into the formal arts and crafts inspired garden you see today,” says Alex.
"It was fun growing up with those trees growing as well," says Alex fondly about the garden. "You could see them getting bigger and bigger, and now they are much bigger than I am! I've kind of stopped growing!"
When asked what his favourite things about the properties are, Alex said, “In Atelier Rose it has to be the original cornicing in the dining and reception rooms along with the garden.” And in Hollyhocks? “The stories of medieval knights staying here and drawing their roses onto the beams before the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461. You are walking through and touching history in this building!”
Alex goes on to explain that the property’s 1920’s parquet flooring is a wonderful feature he was particularly eager to restore, one that conjures up memories of late-night dancing and cocktails, “It’s almost as if anyone who steps onto it needs to pour themselves a drink and put the music on!”
