Wonderlands: British Garden Designers at Home

Wonderlands: British Garden Designers at Home is one of those rare books that instantly feels timeless. Written by Tania Compton with photography by Andrew Montgomery, it takes readers into the private gardens of Britain’s most inspiring designers, not as showpieces, but as deeply personal reflections of creativity, patience and place. The writing is elegant, insightful and quietly poetic. Each chapter captures not just how these gardens look, but how they feel, alive, evolving, shaped by character and climate rather than perfection. The photography is simply beautiful: atmospheric, natural, and full of texture and mood. What makes this book stand out is its authenticity. It celebrates gardens that are lived in, not staged, wild edges, weathered gates, and all. From gently overgrown country retreats to serene city courtyards, every space tells a story of individuality and deep connection to the land. For anyone who loves gardens, design, or simply the art of creating beauty with integrity, Wonderlands is a joy to own. It’s a book to linger over, a reminder that the most magical gardens grow slowly, thoughtfully, and with heart.

This is a stunningly beautiful and well written book that has me excited about gardening all over again. Each chapter details the private green space of a leading British garden designer. The author is clearly passionate about gardens, and has a deep knowledge of the subject and hands on experience of creating a garden. This makes each chapter an illuminating and privileged glimpse in to some truly inspiring outdoor spaces. The sumptuous and sometimes heart-stopping photography is a perfect match for the enthralling text, perfectly capturing the atmosphere and exquisite detail of each personal space. In many ways Wonderlands reminds me of the brilliant 'at home' books that Vogue used to publish, where each page offers a sensory feast. You will want a copy of this ravishing book for your own shelves, but it is also a perfect book for gifting. I know lots of people I want to share it with. The perfect garden book.

Absolutely stunning book cover to cover. Every page is magical - a journey through the most beautiful gardens. I could get lost in the pages for days on end. A must buy for anyone in your life with a love of gardens and nature.

This is a stunning coffee table book. Photos are beautiful and inspiring, but I admit I haven't properly sat down and read it yet. Looks great though.

Good selection of gardens and attractive photos, but the photos are taken from.viewpoints so immersed in the planting it is hard to understand the shape and layout of the part of the garden in the photos.

This is SUCH a great book. In it is every garden you have ever wanted to see in the UK: the private spaces of the best designers - like a whose who of garden design. The photographs by Eva Nemeth depict the particular singularity of each garden and convey the most important thing about them and what makes them magic: their atmosphere. But there are wonderful close ups of plants too. The way the book is ordered is brilliant. You can dip in and out of course, but taken as a whole it reads as a portrait of how 'we' garden look - at least, what many of us aspire too, how nature is considered, how we want to live when we are outside. Each essay is so well written. Clare Coulson writes so well, with a distinctive and informed voice - crucially she gets to the bottom of what is really special about each garden, not just in terms of design and planting, but in terms of what the garden is like to be in; what makes it singular and special. Everything: the green cloth cover, the photographs, the way the book is such a delight to flick through - the pacing of it and the order of the chapters, the gardens chosen, and the writing - is all totally fantastic. Can't recommend enough. Would make a brill present, for self and/or others.

Stunning book with wonderful photos. Sent quickly - thank you.

Absolutely stunning book. Full of inspiration and information. I keep coming back to it over and over. Dipping in and out and finding new ideas each time.

Beautiful

krásná a inspirativní kniha s nádhernými fotografiemi

Very nice book. The subject and composition of the pictures works well. One complaint is the use of the filter on every picture.

Great insight into Britons' most accomplished garden makers. Beautifully photographed and written. Love the inside perspective from an exemplary group of designers. Excellent book.

A beautiful book with amazing images. I’m working on a garden and this certainly inspired me.