The Hill Garden And Pergola
A tale of an Edwardian garden
The Edwardian age was known for its elegance and opulence, the king (Edward VII, 1901–1910), being a leader of the fashionable era. His political and social impact may be a subject of debate but his taste for luxurious living is one that remains to be questioned. Britain’s imperial power was one of the main factors to a change in their economical situation. However, it faced a period of uncertainty as it was discussed that countries such as the US and Germany were taking over the industrial trade.
Like everything else Edwardian, the Hill Garden and Pergola was not exempt from the lavishness of that period. Coming into formation in 1904, Lord Leverhulme– a nature and landscape gardening enthusiast and philanthropist (not to mention, a very wealthy man), purchased a house on the Heath and named it ‘The Hill’. With big ideas and a need to establish a legacy, he acquired the surrounding land known as ‘Pergola’. He wanted the area to be used as not only a beautiful environment to host Edwardian occasions but as a place where his family and friends can enjoy the surroundings during warm summer evenings.
Overlooking the West Heath and situated in the affluent area of Hampstead, the location has a touch of the otherworldly because it does not really feel like a part of London. It has an air of the…
