Godalming & District Chamber of Commerce members were delighted to be invited by the National Trust to visit Munstead Wood this week.
Munstead Wood was the home of the renowned gardener, craftswoman and writer and one of the most influential garden designers in the world. She bought 15 acres of woodland opposite the family home in Munstead, near Godalming in 1883 and set about transforming it into her very own garden. She commissioned the young architect Edwin Lutyens to build her a large house on the site, which was her base for the remaining 35 years of her life, which were devoted to garden design, writing books and articles and running a nursery business. The house is a collaboration of creative genius which is key to the story of Surrey Arts and Crafts and the extraordinary careers of both Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, which is why the National Trust acquired Munstead Wood last year.
They are currently exploring how best to carve a future for this remarkable place, one that safeguards its unique character, shares its powerful stories and enables others to see the beauty that lies beyond the garden wall. The property is a great asset to Godalming and the National Trust is working closely with key stakeholders locally to come up with its plans for the future of Munstead Wood. The Chamber is very pleased to be part of that process and wishes them well in their endeavours to see this magical property come alive again.
