About
An historic orchard is being restored at Russell Gardens in Dover in the latest phase of the Lottery funded restoration of Thomas Mawson’s c.1900 design for Kearsney Court gardens.
A total of sixty-three fruit trees are being planted, including a variety of apple, pear, and cherry trees. Espalier trained fruit trees have also been planted along the adjoining walled kitchen garden.
The historic orchard in Russell Gardens was restored as part of the National Lottery funded project. It was originally designed by Thomas Mawson for Kearsney Court Gardens.
A total of sixty-three fruit trees are being planted, including a variety of apple, pear, and cherry trees. Espalier trained fruit trees have also been planted along the adjoining walled kitchen garden.
Alongside its historical precedent, the orchard is also designed to encourage the local community to get involved to learn more about the trees and different varieties of fruit, and for volunteers to support its long-term maintenance.
Natural significance
Thomas Mawson often included orchards in his landscape designs usually near the kitchen garden, describing them as "the one part of the domain above all others which speaks of seclusion, peace, quiet and rest, a close commune with nature and rural pleasures."
Historical significance
Thomas Mawson (1861-1933) was the foremost landscape architect of the Edwardian era. His design for Kearsney Court was one of his earliest independent commissions and a rare example of his work in the south east.