By community correspondent Noreen Cesareo.

Kingston's reputation as a leafy borough is richly deserved and the renowned Coombe Wood Nurseries has firmly set Coombe Estates on the horticultural global map. Hailed as the most successful nurserymen in Europe at the time, James Veitch and his family opened the Nurseries in 1856 on 35 acres of land leased from the Duke of Cambridge.

Four years later, banker Hugh Hammersley purchased 16 acres of land in Warren Road and by 1865, had built Warren House, surrounding it with gardens. Intersecting the land was a section belonging to the Nurseries which encompassed a Japanese Water Garden, created in the image of the famous willow pattern plate design and fed by the many springs in the area. Hammersley managed to acquire the land and complete the gardens in 1870.

The gardens have survived and today are home to various flora and remarkable garden architecture. From azalea to wisteria, Warren House is alive with colour, whatever the time of year. We spoke to Andrew Fuller, head gardener at Warren House. Over the years, Andrew has upgraded, developed and restored the four acres of ornamental gardens. His focus has been to return the gardens to the original splendour of the Victorian design.

As Andrew explained, “Veitch was a dedicated man and collected plants from all over the world, including rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas, which we still see today. The gardens were developed gradually over a period of time. The walled kitchen garden, glass house and frames were finished in 1897. When General Sir Arthur Paget acquired the estate in 1907, he commissioned Pulham & Son to build the Italian styled Loggia. Paget was much influenced by the styles prevailing at that time.”

He continued,” The Winter Garden was added by Messinger & Son in 1913. Many of the garden features including the grotto, main fountain and seat; the sunken garden’s balustrades, fountain, urns and finials as well as the Paget Pots in the Italian Garden, which you can see at the front entrance, were all built during that time.”

Today, the gardens are much smaller. In 1985, a large area that included the tennis courts, the Japanese water garden and part of Veitch’s Nurseries were sold to developers.

Describing the gardens today, Andrew concluded, “In 1994, the kitchen garden was turned into a meadow with fruit trees and a small herb garden. There are at least 30 different fruit trees growing in our meadow – including apples, cherries, plums and pears – which feature in Warren House dishes and deserts.”

Andrew is just as dedicated a gardener. On any day, whatever the season, the tranquillity and beauty of these formal Victorian gardens can be enjoyed by guests and friends of Warren House who stroll through the grounds. For more details, please visit www.warrenhouse.com or contact Helen Bull, Sales Manager, on 020 8974 7049 or at helenbull@warrenhouse.com