Bampfylde Lecture: Head Gardener at Munstead Wood

Join us for a thought provoking evening as we host our Bampfylde Winter Lecture with guest speaker Annabel Watts, Head Gardener at Munstead Wood - home to one of the most influential gardeners, Gertrude Jekyll.

Annabel will be giving an illustrated talk on 'The Changing Seasons at Munstead Wood'.

The changing seasons that Annabel experiences during her every day work - the seasonal borders, the woodland and the various tasks that have to be carried out.

The garden at Munstead Wood has undergone many changes since Gertrude Jekyll lived there and this is explained during the talk. Munstead Wood today (which the National Trust acquired in April 2023) is only 11 acres of the original 15, but photographs of the other areas are explained to show the complete picture of Munstead Wood during Jekyll’s ownership and how she ran a business there, from the 1890s until her death in 1932.

The Bampfylde Lecture + Dinner tickets are now fully booked. The Bampfylde Lecture tickets only are still available.

If you would like to enjoy a supper with us before the lecture at 5.30pm, consisting of two-courses and a small glass of wine, please click the Bampfylde Lecture + Dinner tickets button to book.

Bampfylde Lecture Menu

Roasted west county loin of pork; Creamed potato with apple, mustard and leek, cavalo nero and Marsala sauce

Vegetarian; Gruyere and Cheddar soufflé, medley of autumn vegetables

followed by

Hestercombe apple strudel with our own fig leaf and olive oil ice cream

Please do email us at food@hestercombe.com with any dietary requirements you may have.

Head Gardener, Annabel Watts

"Before I became a gardener, I had worked as a PA in London for 23 years when, in 2001, I decided to stop commuting and look for a local part-time job, without the responsibility I had had before.

Looking through the local paper my eye was drawn to a small advert under the title HORTICULTURE which said:

‘Part time gardener required. No experience necessary’

I rang the local number, and was invited for an interview at Munstead Wood, the home of Sir Robert and Lady Clark, that afternoon. Four days later I was reporting for work. In a matter of days, I had taken a huge reduction in salary for a completely new career.

I consider the first 11 years as my 'apprenticeship' - there was so much to learn. And when Sir Robert died, the head gardener handed in his notice. Lady Clark asked if I would like to take on the role. 10 years on and with only 2 days help a week, my life has taken on a direction I would never have thought possible. That little advert really changed my life!"

Tickets

This is an event aimed at raising funds for Hestercombe's continuing preservation work.

Tickets are priced at £10 for non-members and £8 for members.

Two-course dinner tickets are priced at £28 per person.