Quex Gardens

About Quex Gardens

The gardens at Quex were originally laid out in the C15 when the first manor house was built, but were extensively remodelled throughout the C19 and the present design contains strong Regency, Victorian and Edwardian influences. The gardens were designed to be seen from the main withdrawing room on the first floor of the house, from where lawns radiate around a central vista ending in the far distance with the Gun Tower one of three celebrated follies in the grounds. There is an established parkland of ornamental specimen trees and a sunken fountain garden. This feature was once a formal Italianate garden and has undergone extensive re-planting to restore formal borders and paths. On the upper terraces of the lawn, there are some fine specimen trees, including two venerable King James Mulberries and an ancient Sophora Japonica. Surrounding the upper terraces is an extensive shrub border and a vibrant Edwardian herbaceous border against a south wall. A more recent introduction is a rose border, established with the help of David Austin Roses, which contains a collection of the old roses and some new introductions. Hidden behind the high, old brick walls of the herbaceous border is an exceptional example of a Victorian walled garden, which had later commercial use as a market garden. Although in need of restoration, many original features of its historic use remain and there are collections of tender exotics, fruit trees, cacti, succulents & pelargonium. Work is ongoing to preserve the glasshouse structures & to make the garden a productive space with modern and heritage fruit and vegetable varieties. Surrounding the gardens is a woodland walk, with a good show of spring bulbs and planted beds, contrasting with the more formal pleasure grounds of the Mansion.