A lecture: “Merton’s Dream Garden - The story of the Russell-Cotes Museum Garden .”

by Phil Bromfield

Date: October 15th 2024 Time: 2pm Cost: £15 (to include tea and cake )
Venue: Minterne House , Minterne Magna, DT2 7AU Facilities: Ample parking opposite the main gate. Disabled parking in front of house. WC. No dogs. Wheelchair access.

The Russell-Cotes was the home of two Victorian collectors and travel enthusiasts, Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes. In 1901, Merton gave Annie a dream house on a cliff-top, overlooking the sea. It was an extraordinary birthday present – lavish, splendid, and with a touch of fantasy.  

Merton describes how he resolved to create “a tropical garden” out of the wild sand dunes and “a beauty spot that any English garden lover would desire.” The central lawn featured life-sized classical sculptures and was enclosed by fragrant flower beds. Pathways flowed into a series of mysterious, enclosed plots. Summerhouses were dotted around the steep west bank (now the site of the modern extension wing), which provided opportunities to sit and admire the magnificent views over the Bay. Today the garden is a fascinating survival of the Founder’s original intentions melded with the needs of the historic house visitor attraction and inevitable changes through time.

In his talk, Phil Bromfield will cover the original design and layout of the garden and how it has evolved, highlighting key features spotlighting plants and showcasing how it looks through the seasons.

Phil, who has his own Gardening Company, has a particular interest in Garden History, hence he began volunteering at the wonderful Russell-Cotes Museum and Historical Garden in Bournemouth, the fascinating sub-tropical cliff top garden which overlooks Poole Bay. He also took on the role of local coordinator for the National Garden Scheme (NGS).

To visit Russell-Cotes Historical Garden, Art Gallery & Museum, West Cliff Promenade, Bournemouth BH1 3AA
Website: russellcotes.com Contact: +44 (0)1202 128000 Email: russellcotes@bcpcouncil.gov.uk