In those days London had an extensive adult education programme and I saw a course called An introduction to Garden History. My first degree was in history, and I’ve always liked gardens and gardening, so I thought I’d go along and be entertained and maybe learn something at the same time.
It didn’t take long to be hooked. From there it was downhill all the way. I did an MA in Historical Research at Birkbeck and then moved straight on a PhD on the Gardens and Gardeners of Later Stuart London. I also started volunteering for the Garden History Society.
My PhD led to me running courses for Birkbeck and then City Lit, as well lecturing to all sorts of groups and societies and at places like Chelsea Physic Garden, the Garden Museum and the V&A and not just in Britain – I’ve spoken via Zoom to groups in Australia and on New Zealand radio and Canada is supposed to be next. I also helped organise and lead garden trips to France – and with French people around some English gardens.
