Washington National Cathedral

This illustrated lecture embraced the complete story of ancient Hestercombe Gardens. Originally created between 1754 and 1786 by Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, the gardens fell into disrepair over time until the 1990’s when preservation efforts resurrected this famous bit of British horticulture. In 1997, the gardens were opened for the first time in 125 years. The elegant 40-acre landscape includes lakes, temples and woodland walks in its three gardens located in Somerset, England. Mr. White, Director of Hestercombe Gardens explored the history, restoration and significance of these extraordinary spaces, as well as the charms of Hestercombe's Victorian terrace garden and shrubs of the 1870’s, to present a comprehensive overview of one of the most important garden sites in Great Britain. Deeply involved in the management and restoration of Hestercombe Gardens since 1992, Mr. White has also lectured and written for various periodicals throughout Great Britain and lectured for the Royal Horticultural Society, the Garden History Society and numerous National Trust groups. Mr. White was named Country Life’s Gardener of the Year in 1995.