Lytes Cary Manor is an intimate medieval manor house with a beautiful Arts and Crafts garden where you can imagine living.
Originally the family home of Henry Lyte, where he translated the unique Niewe Herball book on herbal remedies, Lytes Cary was then lovingly restored in the 20th century by Sir Walter Jenner.
The garden rooms contain a magical collection of topiary and herbaceous borders, while tranquil walks on the estate take you along the River Cary.
To complete your visit, take a stroll among our community allotments and discover their creative and colourful designs.
The garden that you see today at Lytes Cary Manor is very different to the garden that would have originally existed when the Lyte family were in residence.
In the beginning
The garden would have once been a very practical, working space. Henry Lyte, who lived in the house in the 1550s, was a keen herbalist and gardener. His son Thomas wrote that he grew apples, pears, plums, grapes, cherries, walnuts and peaches.
Sadly, much of the original garden was lost after the Lytes family sold the estate in 1755. The following years saw a series of owners and tenants occupying the Manor, and the garden disappeared as the land was farmed right up to the house.
Twentieth century changes
When the Jenner family took up residence in 1907, Sir Walter and Lady Flora created a new garden. The design was Arts and Craft inspired and featured mostly rectangular ‘rooms’ separated by yew hedges and stone walls, each reflecting a different mood or purpose.
After Sir Walter passed the house and estate to the National Trust, it was again let to tenants. In 1955, Jeremy Chittenden and his wife, Biddy, took the lease. Both worked tirelessly over the next 45 years to transform the gardens into those we now know.
To conserve the garden, some areas may not be accessible, please phone ahead for details. Last entry to the house is 30 minutes before closing time.