From food to florals: The rise of the rockstar gardener

The English Heritage Podcast goes live! Host Amy Matthews records in front of a live audience at Audley End House during the 2026 Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair. 

Joined by English Heritage experts Andrew Hann, Michael Klemperer and Emily Parker, Amy explores how gardening evolved from a practical necessity into a passion for beauty, leisure and horticultural showmanship. 

From the rigid geometry of Tudor gardens to Capability Brown’s sweeping natural landscapes, discover how changing tastes transformed the way we garden. Hear about the lives of the people who made these gardens possible - including the head gardeners who became the horticultural celebrities of their day. 

Plus, a rare 18th-century apprentice gardener’s diary from Audley End offers a fascinating glimpse into what it was really like to learn the trade. 

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