Wotton House Italian Gardens near Dorking

Discover  the first Italian Garden created in Britain in 1652 at Wotton House Hotel. Roman style temple, original mosaics, built for intrigue, these gardens are so historically significant that they are individually Grade II listed.

The estate's most notable figure, John Evelyn, was born in 1620 and inherited Wotton House in 1699. While he was a writer, diarist, and close friend of Samuel Pepys, John was above all a passionate botanist. He deeply understood the power of nature, authored books on the subject, and was even a visionary vegetarian long before it was fashionable. His profound love for the natural world heavily shaped the estate you see today.

Inspired by his extensive European travels and a love for the Italian Renaissance, John instructed his cousin, Captain George, to construct the estate's Italian gardens. Featuring an extravagant temple and fountains, this design was a dramatic departure from traditional Tudor style, marking the beginning of 200 years of grand modifications.

The historical importance of the grounds continued into the 19th century. In 1898, James Pulham—of the famed Pulham legacy—hand-crafted a bespoke grotto and old fernery within the grounds. Because Pulham garden sculptures are highly coveted and found across Britain's finest stately homes, securing these custom creations was a major coup for Wotton House.

Wotton House Hotel Website - click here

Which was the first Italian Garden built / created in England?
The first Italian Garden  in England was built /' created in 1652 at Wotton House near Dorking