An introduction to garden history

Design has been important in the British landscape for centuries. Many people are familiar with the gardens of large country houses, but in fact designed landscapes have a very complex history dating from Roman times and incorporating influences from across the world.

The articles in this section are intended to give newcomers to the subject of historic parks, gardens and designed landscapes a good foundation from which to start in terms of understanding the history of these important places, who was involved in creating them and how they are looked after and protected.