Secret History of the British Garden

Ep: 1 "The 17th Century"

What hidden messages were found in a forgotten 17th-century garden? Why did formal gardens with clipped hedges and topiary bushes fall out of fashion? How did Victorian gardeners manage to grow exotic plants under England's chilly skies? In this new four-part series, renowned horticulturalist Monty Don looks for answers as he digs into the fascinating history of British gardens over the past 400 years, showing not just how they changed, but what drove their transformation.

History Nature and Environment Travel and Adventure

Report a Problem

Episodes

Ep 1

The 17th Century

Watch Until July 17, 5:00pm

Play 59min

Ep 2

The 18th Century

Watch Until July 24, 5:00pm

Play 59min

Ep 3

The 19th Century

Watch June 29, 8:00pm

Ep 4

The 20th Century

Watch July 6, 8:00pm

The 17th Century

In this four-part series, world famous gardener Monty Don explores the fascinating history and evolution of the British garden. In this episode, Monty uncovers the extraordinary stories behind Britain's 17th century gardens. (1 of 4)

The 18th Century

Monty Don visits Rousham House in Oxfordshire, designed by one of the first practitioners of the landscape movement - William Kent. Monty traces the evolution of central gardening innovations of the 18th century including the ha-ha, the folly and the use of water. (2 of 4)

The 19th Century

Monty travels to London's iconic Kew Gardens, where the impact of the 19th century can be seen at every turn, after Kew was transformed from a private royal pleasure ground to the country's foremost botanical garden. (3 of 4)

Additional Broadcast Dates:

Thu Jun 29, 8:00pm

Sat Jul 1, 5:00pm

The 20th Century

Monty visits Rodmarton Manor in Gloucestershire - an unspoiled, unpretentious arts and crafts movement garden that demonstrates how the societal and economic shifts of the 20th century had a profound impact on gardening. (4 of 4)

Additional Broadcast Dates:

Thu Jul 6, 8:00pm

Sat Jul 8, 5:00pm