Gardening Museum unveils its new look after revamp
After an 18-month, £7.5million redevelopment, The Garden Museum’s re-opening took place on May 22, 2017. It is Britain’s only museum dedicated to the art, history, and design of gardens – an oasis of tranquillity next to Lambeth Palace. The project, supported by the National Lottery, has enabled the museum to put its collection on display for the first time. Its home, the ancient deconsecrated church of St Mary’s-at-Lambeth, has been restored, with seven new galleries.
Outside, a bronze extension frames a new garden by Dan Pearson, built without foundations due to the 20,000 bodies buried on the site, some dating back to before the Norman Conquest. Explore the 14th-century tower, open to the public for the first time. Visit The Ark Gallery, a recreation of the Tradescants’ 17th-century cabinet of curiosities.
The building-within-a-building design preserves the ancient body of the church while creating a new gallery for the permanent collection. It reflects all aspects of gardening, from 1600 to the present day. Exhibits include Britain’s oldest watering can and Harold Gilman’s iconic ‘Portrait of a Black Gardener’.
Garden Museum re-opening – Tradescant’s resting place
The church is the resting place for the 17th-century plant hunters John Tradescant (and his son of the same name). They became famous for gardening for Charles I. Their collection of curiosities, bequeathed to Tradescant’s neighbour Elias Ashmole, became the core of the Ashmolean Museum. Saved from demolition in 1977 by Rosemary Nicholson, who discovered the Tradescants’ grave, she raised funds to turn the building into the world’s first gardening museum.
The Archbishops’ tomb
Discovered during the renovation were the tombs of between two and five Archbishops of Canterbury in a vault. The church for many years served the bishop’s household, but the only part that remains is the tower. As the Victorians built a new church in 1851, the graves emptied. There is nothing under the slab of Elias Ashmole and no trace of Anne Boleyn’s family in the aisle built for them in the 16th century.
Builders discovered the vault when they removed a step to make an access for wheelchair users. They found a slab, which lifted to reveal steps going down and saw a glittering archbishop’s mitre. The tomb has been sealed, with a glass viewing window placed over the steps. The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded further funding to research the vault.
Garden Museum re-opening – The Ark Gallery
Designed as a recreation of the Tradescants’ famous Ark, one of the wonders of 17th-century London, built around the loan of items on long-term loan from the Ashmolean Museum.
The Garden Wall
A striking installation in the courtyard. More than 200 people sent a picture of their favourite garden, which was fired onto a tile. The result is a mosaic, inviting the viewer to reflect on their own favourite garden.
The Medieval Tower
The oldest part of the church, now with a viewing platform, with an impressive view of London. Watch trustee Alan Titchmarch climb the tower… https://player.vimeo.com/video/167872565.
The Garden
A new garden by Dan Pearson, as an ‘Eden’ of rare plants, the garden reflects the Tradescants’ love of the unusual.
Garden Museum re-opening – The Archive
The country’s first archive of garden design. Records of John Brookes, Beth Chatto, and Penelope Hobhouse will form the foundation, with the photographic archive of Andrew Lawson. Christopher Woodward, Garden Museum director, said: “We aim to keep a record of how our great garden-makers think, imagine and create – and to be able to show people, 20 or 100 years from now, what beautiful gardens they made.”
Learning studios
A new extension has an area for schools and a second space where art and cooking can take place. The Garden Museum, 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7LB, is open every day from 10.30am-5pm (Saturday 10.30am-4pm). Visit www.gardenmuseum.org.uk for more details.
