A Timeless Spectacle: The White Wisteria at Gravetye Manor in Bloom

The white Shiro Nodo wisteria in bloom at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex

A Timeless Spectacle: The White Wisteria AT Gravetye Manor in Bloom

As the golden days of late spring stretch towards summer, a most enchanting transformation takes place at Gravetye Manor, the four-star historic country house hotel in East Grinstead, Sussex.

In a scene reminiscent of an English pastoral painting, the white wisteria Shiro Noda that adorns the manor’s pergola at the back of the flower garden, burst into bloom in a breathtaking display of cascading clusters that can reach up to 20 inches long, offering an immersive experience under the pergola to eagerly awaiting hotel guests and garden enthusiasts alike. These ethereal floral chandeliers, release a sweet, intoxicating scent reminiscent of jasmine and honey, opening gradually from the top of each raceme downwards. As the season progresses, the green foliage deepens, creating a vibrant canopy before slowly fading and dropping away in late autumn, preparing the plant for its winter dormancy.

Native to Japan, this variety of wisteria is known not only for its striking beauty but also for its longevity, with some specimens having lived for over a century. Its twining vines, capable of growing over 30 feet long, symbolising endurance and elegance, making Shiro Noda a cherished feature in traditional and modern gardens alike. Gravetye’s Shiro Noda, was originally planted in 1900 by the estate’s former owner, renowned Victorian horticulturist William Robinson, whose pioneering work shaped the landscape of Gravetye. The pergola was restored in 2012, when more plants were also added.

This wisteria has grown into a living testament to Robinson’s devotion to pioneering naturalistic planting which is as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Hotel residents or lunch guests of Gravetye’s Michelin star restaurant, The Dining Room, that recently saw Roux Scholar Martin Carabott’s appointment as executive chef, can stroll the gardens at their own leisure enjoying a succession of mixed flowers and shrubs on display up to the first frosts. Or experience the gardens via a guided tour by a member of the gardening team, that takes place at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from April to October.

The estate also has a celebrated elliptical kitchen garden that grows fruit and vegetables for the restaurant kitchen as well as meadows and orchards.

William Robinson Festival at Gravetye Manor

The gardens at Gravetye Manor

William Robinson Festival at Gravetye Manor
Sunday 20th July, 10am - 4.30pm

• £25 per person, for morning or afternoon entry, including tea, coffee and cake

• All ticket proceeds go to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice

• Gardening talk from RHS award-winning landscape design practice Harris Bugg

• Tickets can be booked at www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/whats-on

Gravetye Manor, the Elizabethan Manor Hotel, Restaurant and Gardens on the West Sussex borders is thrilled to officially announce the date of its annual William Robinson Festival on Sunday 20th July.

Celebrating the pioneering Victorian gardener William Robinson, known as ‘the father of the English Flower Garden’, guests are invited to enjoy a full day of celebrations, garden talks and demonstrations, while enjoying the gardens at Gravetye Manor in spectacular high summer bloom. There will also be plant sales from Pelham Plants and No Name Nursery, plus a local cheese showcase, Nyetimber Vineyard wine tasting, Morris Dancing, and much more.

Alongside the celebrations, the festival is excited to welcome Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, co-founders of Harris Bugg Studio, a values-driven and award-winning landscape design practice. Together they have won six gold medals, two silver gilts and two best in shows at RHS shows. In their talk, the duo will discuss their design inspirations and how they approach the diverse range of projects they work on including the Kitchen Garden at RHS Bridgewater; as well as a series of experimental garden rooms they designed for a private, rural estate in Oxfordshire. Their talk begins at 11am, followed by a three-course lunch by Gravetye Manor’s new Executive Chef Martin Carabott, in the restaurant’s glass fronted dining room at 12 noon. Tickets are £155 per person and includes the talk, lunch and drinks.

Itinerary on the day

• 10.00am – Festival opens

• 10.30am – Flower Demonstration with Head Florist, Sharon Coote in the Pavilion

• 11.15am – Talk in the Kitchen Garden with Assistant Head Gardener, Helena Lawson

• 12 noon – Garden Talk on the Long Border with Gravetye Head Gardener, Tom Coward

• 12.30pm – Morris Dancing and music in the Flower Garden

• 1.00pm – Join William Robinson’s biographer, Richard Bisgrove, for a fascinating look at ‘the Father of the English Flower Garden’, in the Little Garden

• 2.15pm – Morris Dancing and music in the Flower Garden

• 2.15pm – Talk in the Kitchen Garden with Assistant Head Gardener, Helena Lawson

• 3pm – Garden Talk on the Long Border with Gravetye Head Gardener, Tom Coward

• 3.45pm – Flower Demonstration with Head Florist, Sharon Coote in the Pavilion

• 4.30pm – Festival concludes

Further festivities will be taking place on the Pavilion throughout the day including:

• ·Sussex wine tasting with Nyetimber

• Local cheese showcase with High Weald Dairy

• Plant sale with Pelham Plants & The No Name Nursery

• William Robinson exhibition

• Gravetye gifts and flower bouquets for sale

About William Robinson
Robinson started life in Ireland in the poverty of the potato famine, where at an early age he trained as a garden boy. By the 1860s he had moved to London to work on the new botanic gardens in Regent’s Park, where he started his career as a garden writer. He produced huge amounts of work and set about re-shaping the way we think about gardens. Continuing Robinson’s legacy is Gravetye Manor’s Head Gardener, Tom Coward, ensuring every tree, shrub and flower is lovingly cared for while retaining the spirit of Robinson’s original plan and thinking for the space.

After a humble start in life, Robinson became very wealthy from his writing and in 1884 he bought Gravetye Manor. Over time he bought over 1000 acres of the surrounding landscape and used the estate to put his ideas into practice. Much of the land was used for experimental forestry, and the results of his work continue to be managed today by the William Robinson Gravetye Charity.

About Gravetye Manor
Gravetye Manor, an Elizabethan manor house hotel and Michelin starred restaurant in West Sussex looks out over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. Originally created by visionary gardener William Robinson in 1885, Gravetye Manor’s gardens are considered amongst the most influential in horticultural history and one of the most important historic gardens in England. Robinson’s preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Martin Carabott is the new Executive Chef at Gravetye Manor

Martin Carabott in the dining room at Gravetye Manor

Martin Carabott is the new Executive Chef at Gravetye Manor

Roux scholar Martin Carabott is the new Executive Chef at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex. Joining the two Michelin Key hotel on 1st April, Martin will lead the strong kitchen brigade, which has been recognised with numerous awards including retaining a Michelin Star for ten years and 4 AA Rosettes.

Originally from Malta, Martin won the Roux Scholarship at the age of 29, when he was senior sous-chef at Hide, London. After winning the Roux Scholarship, Martin completed a stage at three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York.

Martin joins Gravetye Manor from his position as Head of Development at Luca in London. His new executive chef role will see him working closely with Head Gardener Tom Coward who manages the 35-acre estate of world-renowned gardens including the elliptical walled kitchen garden (thought to be the only one of its kind in the country) fruit tree orchard, glasshouses and Peach House, all set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. Everything grown on site is used by the kitchen teams in the restaurant. 

Paul Skinner, Gravetye Manor’s General Manager, comments, “For many years Gravetye Manor Hotel and Restaurant has enjoyed a proud reputation for providing exceptional Michelin star quality dining. I am delighted that Martin Carabott will join the team as Executive Head Chef, ensuring that Gravetye Manor will continue to produce excellent fine dining, utilising the freshest seasonal ingredients from our kitchen garden. Martin brings a wealth of experience, he was a Roux Scholar in 2018 and has broadened his cooking skills in some of the finest restaurant kitchens in the country, I am very excited for the future direction of our dining room.”

Martin Carabott comments, “I am very excited to be joining the talented and passionate team at Gravetye Manor and to bring my culinary vision to this well-established and celebrated hotel and restaurant, with a history of world-class food and hospitality. It is an honour to be given the opportunity, and I cannot wait to be a part of its future.”

Martin replaces Executive Chef George Blogg who left the business in December 2024.

About Gravetye Manor

Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes and one Michelin star and two Michelin Keys, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. The hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux and Pride of Britain.

The Elizabethan manor house looks over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. The gardens are considered amongst the most influential in English horticultural history, made famous by previous owner and influential gardener William Robinson, whose preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Springtime events at Gravetye Manor

Garden Designer Jo Thompson will discuss her new book at Gravetye Manor

Floral and creative workshops at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex

Tulip Block Printing Cushion Cover Workshop with Molly Mahon
Tuesday 25th March 2025

Join printmaker Molly Mahon at Gravetye Manor for a one-day workshop.

Use Molly’s newly carved wooden tulip blocks and palette of eco-friendly paints, to experience the joy of block printing, designing and creating a 40 x 30cm cushion cover to take home and cherish. Embellish cushions with Molly’s fabulous array of cotton threads. Adding simple French knots or back stitch, monogramming over the top of designs to add depth, texture and an even more personalised touch. Places are £180.00 per person, that includes tea/coffee and pastries on arrival, a two-course lunch with wine, the workshop and all materials required. The workshop is suitable for all levels with no experience necessary. For more information and to book, please click here.

Jo Thompson, The New Romantic Garden
Thursday 24th April 2025

Gravetye Manor is thrilled to welcome one of the UK’s leading garden designers, Jo Thompson, to talk about her latest book, The New Romantic Garden (Rizzoli, £40). Known for her exquisite, timeless planting, well-proportioned English-style gardens and a deep commitment to biodiversity, Jo will share her love of romantic gardens and provide inspiration to all gardeners who want their garden to feel not merely well planted, but truly alive and atmospheric.

Tickets are £165.00 per person, that includes tea or coffee on arrival, a three-course lunch with drinks, the talk and a signed copy of the book. For more information and to book, please click here.

Bex Partridge, Living Spring Wreath Workshop
Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th May 2025

To celebrate the launch of her new book Crafting with Flowers, Bex Partridge will be highlighting some of the beautiful projects that fill its pages. During the workshop, Bex will guide you through the art of creating a living wreath full of spring bulbs and pretty living flowers. Spring foliage and dried seedheads will be used to compliment the living plants. The wreaths created will last for four to six weeks. Once the bulb plants begin to fade, they can be planted into the garden.

Places are £170.00 per person, which includes the workshop, tea or coffee and pastries on arrival and a two-course lunch with wine. For more information and to book, please click here.

Flower workshops with Gravetye Manor’s Head Florist
Join Head Florist, Sharon Coote, for Gravetye’s spring and summer flower workshops. Each workshop will use sustainable techniques and repurposed vases guests can take home to reuse for years to come. Places are £160.00 per person, which includes the workshop, pastries and refreshments on arrival and a two-course lunch with wine. Group sizes will be kept small to ensure maximum attention from Sharon.

Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th April - Easter Tulips
Sharon will expertly demonstrate how to create a stunning vase arrangement using Gravetye Manor’s famous homegrown tulips from the garden.

Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th June - Summer Entertaining
Sharon will demonstrate how to create a variety of beautiful table arrangements for summer entertaining.

Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th July – Meadow Box
Sharon will teach how to create a beautiful garden meadow style arrangement using a mixture of seasonal flowers gathered from our gardens.

For more information and to book, please click here.

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About Gravetye Manor

Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes and one Michelin star and two Michelin Keys, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. The Elizabethan manor house looks over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. The gardens are considered amongst the most influential in English horticultural history, made famous by previous owner and influential gardener William Robinson, whose preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

For more information, please contact
Hannah Blake on 07730 039361 or hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk
Sarah Jones on 07775 582497 or sarah@wildernesspr.co.uk

Address:  Gravetye Manor, Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, Sussex, RH19 4LJ
Tel:  01342 810567
Website:  www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
Instagram:  @gravetyemanor

Gravetye Manor awarded Two Michelin Keys

Gravetye Manor has been awarded Two Michelin Keys

Gravetye Manor awarded Two Michelin Keys

Gravetye Manor has been honoured with the prestigious distinction of Two MICHELIN Keys by the MICHELIN Guide, reaffirming its status as one of the top hotels in the UK.

These are the first ever Keys awarded in the UK and focus on five universal criteria for selecting hotels: excellence in architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; overall personality and character; the value in relation to the price; and a significant contribution to the neighbourhood or setting.

The award recognises Gravetye Manor’s commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience, combining luxury accommodation and service within 35-acres of world-class gardens and exquisite Michelin dining from Executive Chef George Blogg and team. Known for its intimate and elegant atmosphere, Gravetye Manor offers guests a unique blend of luxury and natural beauty, positioning it among the finest hotels in the UK.

Director of Sales and Marketing, Celine Leslie said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the two key recognition from Michelin. It sits nicely alongside our one Michelin star and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at the property. We are hugely grateful to all those that support us, guests and suppliers alike, as we strive to provide unforgettable experiences to all those that visit us.”

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About Gravetye Manor
Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes and one Michelin star, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. The Elizabethan manor house looks over 35-acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. The gardens are considered amongst the most influential in English horticultural history, made famous by previous owner and influential gardener William Robinson, whose preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Autumnal floral events at Gravetye Manor

Autumnal colour in the long border at Gravetye Manor

Floral events this autumn at Gravetye Manor​

Gravetye Manor, the country house hotel, Michelin starred restaurant and historic gardens in the rural Sussex countryside is hosting a series of floral events this Autumn.

Dried Flower Workshop with floral artist Bex Partridge
Tuesday 1st October and Wednesday 2nd October
Join Bex Partridge, floral artist, for a morning of nature inspired creativity. Bex will guide guests to create one of her signature half-moon wreaths, built upon a natural woven wreath base. Working with rich autumnal tones, in greens, reds, oranges, pinks and purples, she will show guests how to weave fresh and dried stems to create a beautiful everlasting wreath. Autumn is the best time to work with dried flowers, with bountiful blooms, seedheads and leaves being gathered throughout the summer to dry and create with. £160.00 per person, tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival, two-course lunch, wine, and workshop, inclusive.

The Tulip Garden with Polly Nicholson
Tuesday 8th October 2024
Specialist flower grower and tulip expert, Polly Nicholson, will talk about her latest book The Tulip Garden: Growing and Collecting Species, Rare and Annual Varieties, which offers an introduction to growing and collecting tulips alongside expert tips and advice for gardeners. With powerful imagery, Polly will take guests on a journey to Blacklands, her beautiful, six-acre English country garden. Gravetye’s Head Gardener Tom Coward will join the end of the talk for a Q&A with Polly. £160.00 per person, including tea/coffee on arrival, the talk, three-course lunch, drinks and a signed copy of the book, inclusive.

Flower Workshops with Head Florist Sharon Coote
Wednesday 9th October and Thursday 10th October
Two flower workshops hosted by Gravetye’s Head Florist Sharon Cootes who will expertly demonstrate and teach guests how to make and create an autumnal display, using a mixture of seasonal flowers from the garden. Hosted in the oak framed in the Little Garden. £155.00 per person, tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival, two-course lunch, wine, and workshop, inclusive.

Gravetye Book Launch
Saturday 16th November
Discover the spectacular new edition of Gravetye Manor: 20 year’s work round an old manor house by William Robinson with new colour images and a foreword by Head Gardener, Tom Coward. The event includes a talk from Tom and the chance to purchase the book at a special price. £160 per person including an aperitif, talk, three-course lunch and wine, inclusive.

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About Gravetye Manor
Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes and one Michelin star, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. The Elizabethan manor house looks over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. The gardens are considered amongst the most influential in English horticultural history, made famous by previous owner and influential gardener William Robinson, whose preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Notes to editors
Address: Gravetye Manor, Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, Sussex, RH19 4LJ
Tel: 01342 810567
Website: www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
Instagram: @gravetyemanor

George Blogg leaves Gravetye Manor

Executive Head Chef George Blogg steps down from Gravetye Manor

George Blogg, Executive Head Chef at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex is stepping down after more than ten years at the hotel and restaurant. Since joining Gravetye in 2014, George has been recognised with numerous awards including winning and retaining a Michelin Star for nine years, 4 AA Rosettes, a Master of Culinary Arts from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, the Cateys Hotel Chef of the Year in 2022 and the highest UK entry for the We’re Smart Green Guide for his relationship and efforts using Gravetye’s garden produce.

George will be leaving Gravetye Manor in December. Recruitment for this special and rare opportunity is ongoing; applicants interested to apply for the role are encouraged to contact General Manager Paul Skinner on paul@gravetyemanor.co.uk to discuss the role in more detail.

George Blogg comments, “Gravetye is a magical place that will forever be a part of who I am. The last 10 years have been an incredible journey and an utter privilege to work alongside some truly amazing people, whose passion and hard work have grown Gravetye to be a standout property. I am excited for the future but will miss Gravetye immensely. I am proud of the countless guest experiences we have created, and I know that Gravetye will continue to thrive. I would like to thank the owners, Elizabeth and Jeremy Hosking, and Andrew Thomason (General Manager from 2012-2022) for the faith and mentorship that they provided me.”

Owners of Gravetye Manor, Jeremy and Elizabeth Hosking, comment, “George has been an influential and key member of the Gravetye team for over ten years and we have much to thank and congratulate him for. It’s bittersweet to see him go but we are hugely grateful for everything he has achieved and the dedication he has given to both his colleagues and to our guests at Gravetye. George will be a hard act to follow, and we wish him all the best.”

About Gravetye Manor

Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes and one Michelin star, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. The Elizabethan manor house looks over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. The gardens are considered amongst the most influential in English horticultural history, made famous by previous owner and influential gardener William Robinson, whose preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

For more information, please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room
07730 039361 or hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk

Notes to editors

Address:  Gravetye Manor, Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, Sussex, RH19 4LJ
Tel:  01342 810567
Website:  www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
Instagram:  @gravetyemanor