South Eggardon House

The house lies in a fold of the Dorset Downs, sheltered by Eggardon Hill and its hillfort. Georgia Langton designed this five-acre garden, which starts around the house with rose- and perennial-filled borders, anchored by domes of clipped box. Then, passing a very ancient yew tree, the way slopes gently down to a lake with a woodland garden beyond. Back towards the house, a stream forms a water garden with pools overhung by willows.

Chideock Manor

The garden around the Regency house has been completely restored since 1996. A formal terrace looks over the lake to the surrounding hills. A stand of Gunnera introduces the informal woodland and stream gardens. A Yew Walk, a feature of the original garden, is matched by a more recent Lime Walk. Behind the house is an informal contemporary garden; perennials spill onto generous terraces, Magnolia sieboldii frame a croquet lawn, and roses flower in profusion.

The Old Rectory

Since 2009, Arne Maynard has reworked an already lovely garden. Pleached crab apples screen the circular lawn in front of the 18th-century house. A thatched summer house stands sentinel to one side. The bank drops away, through the woodland garden, to the springs which feed the lake and the natural swimming pool. An enclosed garden is dominated by an old quince tree; beyond this lies a vegetable garden and then borders containing the roses that are the heart of Emily’s cut rose business.