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About Downs Solicitors
The walled garden, tucked behind our High Street offices in Dorking, was developed by Dr Curtis and tenderly cared for by Bob Fuller, the last Gas Board manager to live in the flat overlooking the space and was once featured in an advertisement for Welgrow fertiliser around the 1930’s.
It has been carefully restored revealing many of its original heritage features, including historic brick doors and windows and a layout that speaks to its Victorian past.
One highlight is the wisteria, estimated to be approximately 100 years old. It was previously hidden by years of overgrowth and now cascades across the walls, filling the garden with colour and fragrance each spring and summer alongside roses, plants, and shrubs restored and replaced so the garden is sympathetic to its late Victorian and early 20th century roots.
One of the more unusual and charming details is a set of small dog graves from the 19th century, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and loves of former caretakers. These quietly placed stones are a poignant nod to the garden’s long-standing place in local life.
The restoration has also introduced a sensory area, with fragrant herbs, textured and architectural plants and soothing water feature, and a composting area as well as making our garden a self-sustaining organic space. In addition to our planting, organic gardening methods and pond, our small garden is a wildlife habitat.
Though small, this walled garden is a peaceful retreat and a perfect example of how heritage and community can come together in a space of beauty and reflection.
The garden and associated artworks were featured as part of an exhibition curated by the RSA – Augmented Society Network, in London and at the Hive in Winchester.
https://www.downslaw.co.uk.
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