Garden Museum, Lambeth

In what was St Mary-at-Lambeth church resides the world's first Garden Museum.

John and Rosemary Nicholson, who were keen garden lovers, rediscovered the tombs of two 17th century Royal gardeners, John Tradescant the Elder and the Younger in the churchyard garden, in 1976. This same year the church, by now roofless and crumbling, was scheduled for demolition, so the Nicholsons set up the Tradescant Trust as a way of saving the tombs and the church buildings, with plans to open a museum to the history of gardening.

The Museum of Garden History opened in 1977, with much of its original collection being donated by friends and Londoners. When it opened it had wooden and earth floors, no heating or lighting and no drainage. As such the museum was unable to exhibit works of art or precious artefacts that needed to be securely displayed.

In the 1980s the Knot Garden, created and designed by Lady Salisbury, President of the Garden Museum, offering a place of quiet reflection, away from the hustle and bustle of London life.

In 1990 the Museum of Garden History looked to expand, not just its collection but also spaces within which to display it, so plans were drawn up that included a mezzanine level.

In 2002 the museum set a target to raise £600,000 to pay for a general overhaul of the facilities.

In 2008 Phase I of the refurbishment began, with the museum's interior being transformed to include exhibition, event and gallery spaces. On November 18 the Museum of Garden History reopened as the Garden Museum.

Between 2015-2017 the Garden Museum closed for 18 months as Phase II of the redevelopment took place. This phase saw a larger space for its permanent collection created, as well as two new learning spaces, a cafe and two new gardens. New exhibition spaces are changed as new exhibitions are shown or presented.

The Tradescant's Ark, a recreation of the Tradescants cabinet of curiosities, was built in the Chancel of the old church. During its construction workmen lifted a loose stone and discovered a flight of stone steps. On exploration they discovered at least 30 lead coffins and on one of these an Archbishop's Mitre could be seen. Between two and five of these coffins belonged to Archbishops. One of which was the coffin of Archbishop Bancroft, who oversaw the translation of the Holy Bible by King James I.

Every chapel and tomb can now be visited, including that of William Bligh, of the HMS Bounty, and the Tradescants family tomb.

New pavilions allow for educational visits, while the interior of the main building has been left airy, allowing as much exterior light in as possible.

A new viewing platform was also lowered onto the medieval tower, opening it up to the public for the first time.

The new garden, that welcomes visitors, has yew hedges and seating, allowing people to sit and relax, while the gravestones have been preserved behind the hedges. St Mary's Gardens are on public land and maintained by volunteers.

The second garden, created during Phase II, which fills the space between the extensions of the learning area and the cafe, is designed around the Tradescant family tomb, and takes the visitor on a journey inspired by  Tradescants plant collecting.

The Garden Museum has an extensive collection, 95% of which is now on display, as well an extensive archive of garden and landscape design, which can be viewed by appointment.

Garden Museum