You Can Live at the Estate That Inspired “The Secret Garden”

From Veranda

Are you spending your lazy summer afternoons dreaming of a trip across the pond or a second home far, far away from the one you’ve been cooped up in since March? Us too. And we just found our new dream destination: Great Maytham Hall in Kent, England. Why, you ask? The estate is a remarkable early-1900s residence that just so happens to have been the inspiration behind Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.

Built by famed British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who was responsible for building the British India capital of New Dehli and a driving force of the Arts and Crafts movement, this turn-of-the-century estate is one of his finest works. One of the first tenants at Great Maytham Hall was Burnett, who was inspired to write the now-classic novel by the property’s gated and walled rose garden. The same literary garden is preserved for residents to enjoy to this day.

Great Maytham Hall is home to 17 acres and Gertrude Jekyll–designed gardens that house bluebells, daffodils, and an array of ancient trees overlooking the Rother Valley. While the exterior is utterly charming, the buildings interiors are full of British quirks and special touches. Period fireplaces, cozy nooks and crannies, ornate stonework, and restrained craftsmanship make for a spectacular, tranquil place to unwind and enjoy the English countryside.

Offered in one- and two-bedroom apartments that feature dazzling, high-ceilinged common areas, Great Maytham Hall is perfect for those looking for less maintenance with all the perks of entertaining in a grand space and even features a guest apartment for loved ones looking to stay for more than a few hours. A citrus-laced kitchen garden, housekeeping services, and immaculately kept grounds are just a few of the reasons why you’ll adjust pretty quickly to estate life in the English countryside.

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