Your chance to win a copy of ‘A Garden Love Story’

“It’s amazing to think that before Belcombe Court, we weren’t really gardeners,” writes Paul Weiland in his introduction to A Garden Love Story. “Although I’ve had a love of flowers for as long as I can remember. We had just got to the point that many people reach when they have a young family, when you start thinking that you might like a bit more countryside for them to run around in. I’d grown up in urban north London, but I wanted their childhood to involve catching tadpoles, exploring the natural world, swimming in rivers, and even horse-riding if they wanted.

“I blame (actually, that should probably be ‘thank’) David Puttnam and his wife Patsy for what happened next.”

In 1992, Paul and his wife Caroline, ended up viewing Belcombe and it was love at first sight. “We categorically knew it was the place for us, even though it was far grander than we were looking for. It was just so perfectly positioned in its valley and the director in me recognized a perfect set design when I saw it.”

Paul’s beautiful book chronicles the revival of the gardens at Belcombe – which between 1945-1989 opened for the National Garden Scheme. Published on 24th September we are offering supporters the chance to win a copy in our free prize draw. To enter, simply send your email to: [email protected] before midnight on Saturday 31 October.

A Garden Love Story – The restoration of the historic gardens at Belcombe Court by Paul Weiland OBE, published by Pavilion, £40

Full Terms & Conditions A Garden Love Story – Prize T&C (1)