The Gardens and People of Twickenham Park
- Andrew George
- Oct 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 30
A lavishly illustrated book describing the history of the gardens and characters who lived in Twickenham Park.
Lying by the Thames to the west of London, between Richmond, Twickenham and Isleworth, is the ancient estate of Twickenham Park created on land enclosed 800 years ago by Richard of Cornwall, brother of Henry III. It was here that Syon Abbey was founded by that most war-like of kings, Henry V, as a place for contemplation and spiritual renewal, whose gardens were both beautiful and useful. The nuns and priests would later move downriver, before fleeing to Europe after Henry VIII ejected them from their monastery.
Later, being close to the Tudor Palace of Richmond, Twickenham Park emerged as a hub of political, social and intellectual activity. It was here that Francis Bacon wrote many of his massively influential essays, including those on gardens. Bacon wanted Twickenham Park to be a place ‘for the discovery of things from the light of nature’. Instead, it became home to the colourful Lucy Harington, Countess of Bedford: patron of the arts and gardener à la mode. Inspired by her garden, John Donne composed his poem of unrequited love, ‘Twicknam Park’.
In the eighteenth century, Twickenham attracted the mercantile, intellectual and political class during a period of immense change. Thomas Vernon planted the first English weeping willow in his garden. Nearby, Alexander Pope decorated his grotto, Henrietta Howard built her mansion and garden at Marble Hill and Horace Walpole created Strawberry Hill in the Gothic style.
The nineteenth century saw a succession of wealthy owners who made gardens in the latest style, the most notorious of which was the Earl of Kilmorey who built an Egyptian mausoleum for his young lover, Priscilla.
Grand houses and families may have gone, but in this fascinating book Andrew George reveals how for generations this corner of England was at the heart of society and the evolution of gardens and horticulture.
Published by Redcliffe Press November 2025
152 pages
85 illustrations
£25
ISBN: 978-1-915670-32-8
If you wish to buy a copy it is available from the author using either the button or the QR code below. Alternatively you can order from the Open Book in Richmond or the publisher.
If ordering from the author’s website the postage and packing inside the UK is free. If you require overseas postage please contact andrew@ajtg.co.uk (will charge at cost).
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