Folly Farm, Reading, England

Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.

Brief description of site

The site originates in the mid-17th century. The present gardens are early-20th century. They are formal gardens related to the contemporary house, created by Gertrude Jekyll and Edward Lutyens. The site covers about 3 hectares, and includes a tank garden.

Brief history of site

A modest, timber-framed, 17th century cottage was gradually enlarged to become a farmhouse. In 1906 Robert Fenn sold the farm to H H Cochrane who immediately employed Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) to enlarge the house for him. Zachary Merton bought Folly Farm in 1912, and employed Lutyens to extend the house to the west in his `Surrey style'. The former croquet and tennis lawns adjacent to the original south front were replaced by a formal Dutch canal. At the same time a parterre garden was created to the west of the canal garden.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	174	Grid Ref:	SU630680
Latitude:	51.40753	Longitude:	-1.095624

Key information:

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