Archive of the UK’s iconic landscapes and lost gardens saved for the public

The collection contains materials belonging to landscape architect William Andrews Nesfield (1793–1881) and his sons Arthur Markham and William Eden Nesfield, who together developed over 250 landscapes across the UK.

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The Nesfields were known for their formal style, incorporating complex parterres, grand fountains and intricate statuary. Iconic landscapes designed by the family include Witley Court, Regent’s Park, Holkham Hall, Alton Towers, Castle Howard, and several vistas at Kew Gardens.

Many of the Nesfields’ other gardens have long ago vanished or changed beyond recognition – in many cases because of the high level of upkeep the designs required. As a result, this archive is the best surviving record of hundreds of important gardens across the UK

The National Heritage Memorial Fund has granted £89,000 towards the Garden Museum’s purchase of the archive. Other funders include The Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Fund (£54,000), the Art Fund (£20,000) and the Friends of National Libraries (£15,000).

A public collection

The Nesfield Archive comprises over 700 design sketches and plans, 900 watercolours, sketches and studies and 100 other items including notebooks and papers. These materials will be held in the Garden Museum’s Archive of Garden Design and will be available to view by appointment.

A public programme of talks and events will be held to celebrate and delve deeper into this historically significant collection. The programme starts with a talk from gardener and landscape historian Ben Dark on 4 February 2025. A selection of highlights from the archive will be displayed among the museum’s permanent exhibits.

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Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “We are delighted to support the Garden Museum’s acquisition of the Nesfield Archive. The Nesfield family were some of the UK’s most eminent landscape architects and the acquisition of their family archive will give many more people the opportunity to discover the origins of some of the UK’s most famous landscapes – elements of which can still be seen today. 

“The National Heritage Memorial Fund exists to save the UK's most outstanding heritage and make it publicly accessible, in memory of those who have given their lives for the UK. We are delighted to count the Nesfield Archive as part of the growing collection of UK heritage that belongs to all of us forever."

Explore more heritage treasures

Find out what else the National Heritage Memorial Fund has helped preserve in our project archive.