Dean Garnier Garden, Winchester

Dean Garnier Garden, nestled within the serene confines of Winchester Cathedral Close, occupies the historic grounds of the monks' dorter, adjacent to the Chapter House lawn and the Cathedral. Unveiled in 1995, this 65 x 15m elevated plot provides a unique vantage point, offering a previously unseen view of the Cathedral to the public.

Named in honor of the 19th-century gardening cleric, Dean Garnier, the garden boasts three distinct 'rooms' designed with plants from medieval and Victorian eras. Accessible through a robust wooden door from the Close, the garden is divided into the Dorter Garden, the Presbytery Lawn, and the Lady Chapel Garden.

The Dorter Garden features a lawned area, an old medlar tree, a strawberry tree, and a malus, surrounded by paths and shrub borders, echoing the original monks' dorter. The Presbytery Lawn serves as a tranquil green stage flanked by scented plants and backed by yew buttresses. The Lady Chapel Garden, corresponding to the cathedral section of the same name, is envisioned as a vibrant, colorful space. Carefully curated plantings, aligned with medieval and Victorian aesthetics, follow Dean Garnier's seasonal layering system.

Various sculptures and seats adorn the garden, contributing to its charm, while a plaque honoring Dean Garnier was installed in 2015. In 2018, two memorial Purbeck stone benches were added to the Lady Chapel. The garden, managed by a dedicated Friends Group and maintained by a small gardening team, welcomes visitors during daylight hours, offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of Winchester Cathedral Close.