The Gardens of Westminster Abbey

When Thorney Island on the north bank of the Thames was chosen, in the tenth century, as the site of a Benedictine monastery, it was not only for the proximity to water for fish and transport, but also for its fertile land. Benedictine monks were gardeners and the infirmarer's garden, now College Garden, is believed to be the oldest in England. Following the dissolution, the various abbey gardens no longer retained their individual roles, but they were still used and enjoyed by the resident clergy and the pupils of Westminster School. This personal guide to the gardens, by Head Gardener Jan Pancheri, focuses on those gardens that the visitor will see as they walk towards and through the cloisters, recounts their history, and discusses her planting philosophy, the challenges of the different garden spaces, and her favourite shrubs and flowers. The guide is beautifully illustrated with Jan's own artwork and a selection of exquisite photographs. See more