The Folly and its walled garden were built by Sir Paul Latham, owner of Herstmonceux Castle from 1933-46. Previously largely laid to lawn, with narrow borders running beneath the side walls and a central path lined with Golden chain trees, the Folly Garden underwent renovation in 2011. The pergola, constructed from timbers from the estate, is a mass of white fragrant flowers in early summer from the Rambling Rector rose which entwines through it. The curved grass paths frame the extended borders with a Forsythia and a variegated Camellia, either side of the path, providing a colourful welcome on a spring day. In this cottage style garden dead-heading is kept to a minimum, allowing the plants to self – seed. Throughout the year there are always some surprises as plants are found growing where they have chosen. If these self -seeded plants are thriving they are left, affording a garden where the plants provide an ever changing display.
