88 Brook Street

About 88 Brook Street

The most common reaction of visitors to the garden of 88 Brook Street is one of surprise at both its extent and its quirkiness.

Entered through feature metalwork gates, the garden is divided into three distinct areas:
the first part is shaded by a mature ash tree, under which plants such as ferns, camelia, astrantia, clematis, persicaria, geraniums, globe thistles and roses surprisingly thrive. The roses include ‘Goldfinch’, Kiftsgate, Albertine and Francis Lester and are particularly striking in June.
The second section of the garden contains water features, including a stream, a mini beach, and a ‘champagne’ pond, which uses old champagne bottles as water spouts. There is also a decking area and plenty of seats on which visitors can relax- it’s quite a steep climb up the garden, which is approximately 100 metres long. The star of the show here, however, are the two topiary elephants, although some garden purists may disagree.
The top of the garden is the working area, with a greenhouse, raised beds, vegetable plots and a small orchard. There is also a wildflower meadow surrounded by a stone circle, in the centre of which a dead plum tree has been given a surprising new lease of life.
The garden is full of wildlife and current residents include: frogs; toads; common and great-crested newts; grass snakes; hedgehogs; and bats.

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