Duncombe Park, UK

Bold yet refined, confident yet understated, grand yet simple – such are my impressions when reflecting on the exquisite landscape garden that is Duncombe Park. Rare is the garden that has remained intact, authentic and true to its original design and execution; but the generations of custodians of Duncombe Park have resisted the urge to tinker – and for me it has paid off. There are no intrusive gimmicks or twentieth century tweaks; there’s just pure enlightened elegance. And it just goes to prove that you don’t need showy herbaceous frippery to create something truly special.