Clandon Park appoints award-winning landscape architect

3rd August 2018

Categories: Inspirational Features

Landscape architect Robert Myers Associates (RMA) has been appointed by the National Trust to join the restoration team at Clandon Park in Surrey, after a fire devastated the 18th-century Palladian house in 2015.  

(Image: View from the west lawn at Clandon Park - Image credit Naitonal Trust/Megan Taylor)

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. 

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. 

The garden and landscape at Clandon has a rich history, 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.

Sophie Chessum, Senior Curator at Clandon Park, says: “We want our visitors to be 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. There was a time when Clandon’s gardens were much celebrated, and we hope to recapture this magic for all.

“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.  

“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 are delighted to have them on board.”

RMA specialises in designing contemporary gardens in historically and culturally significant settings. 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. 

Robert Myers saya: “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.”

The house and gardens at Clandon Park are currently open to visitors. A new temporary walkway into the impressive vaulted basement rooms, with an exhibition on the restoration project, adds to existing access into the Saloon, State Bedroom and Marble Hall.  

About Clandon Park

Clandon Park was one of the country’s most complete examples of a Palladian mansion designed by Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni (c1686-1746) within a designed-landscape. The house was celebrated for its magnificent double-height Marble Hall with its sculptural plaster ceiling by stuccador Giuseppe Artari (d. 1769) and the virtuoso Carrara marble over mantels by sculptor John Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770).                             

Leoni’s composition and superb brickwork exterior is remarkably little altered since its completion in c1730, despite the damage by the fire in April 2015. Significant elements of historic fabric survived the fire and approximately 600 objects from the collection were rescued on the night. 

The National Trust’s vision at Clandon Park is to combine 18th century beauty with 21st century relevance, by restoring the more historically significant rooms on the ground floor and creating new exhibition spaces in the more damaged upper floor areas, which will be home to an inspiring programme of cultural activities. 

Find out more information about Clandon Park