Landscape architect chosen to join Clandon Park restoration team

The garden and landscape at Clandon has a rich history. It’s been influenced by many, including two of the greatest garden designers in English history, George London and Henry Wise, and Britain’s most famous landscape designer, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. While the gardens were left untouched by the fire, they form part of the restoration brief for the design team, led by architect Allies and Morrison, to bring Clandon Park back to life. 

Following a joint tender process between the National Trust and the architect, RMA was the unanimous choice for the role. The team is led by Robert Myers, winner of six gold medals and the People’s Choice Award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and now an RHS gardens show judge. The practice won a 2017 award from the Landscape Institute and two from the Society of Garden Designers, including the Grand Award, for the Magic Garden, a new family garden at Hampton Court Palace on the site of Henry VIII’s tournament ground.

Once completed, the gardens will provide a harmonious and beautiful setting for the restored mansion and a place for people to relax, recharge and play. We want our visitors to be excited and enthralled from the moment they arrive at Clandon Park. To realise that, our plans for the house and gardens must complement each other, as was always intended throughout Clandon’s history. 

‘Robert Myers and his team demonstrated a thoughtful and passionate approach to Clandon Park, with a clear understanding of the significance of the house and landscape, and a commitment to honour its history and archaeology,’ said Project Curator, Sophie Chessum

‘The strength of their experience in creating sensitive designs within significant historic landscapes is evident in their work at The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace and at Rockingham Castle in Leicestershire, among others. We’re delighted to have them on board.’

This appointment is the first major project that RMA has undertaken with the National Trust. In the coming months, we’ll explore design ideas with both Allies and Morrison and RMA. 

Robert Myers said: ‘We believe Clandon’s story can be brought to life by creating a contemporary garden which resonates with, and echoes, its historic antecedents, but does not seek to replicate them. We are honoured to be part of this next step in Clandon’s future.’