Edwardian Revelation

As she prepares for the Coombe Trenchard Home and Garden Show, Sarah Marsh talks to CATHERINE COURTENAY about her garden’s precious past.

- Catherine Courtenay

IF a garden is built for entertaining, when it’s then filled with people it comes alive; and this is so true of Coombe Trenchard, an Edwardian property on the edge of Dartmoor.

Since buying the house and garden ten years ago, Sarah and Philip Marsh have been on a mission to uncover their home’s intriguing past, part of which has been a project to restore its gardens.

Coombe Trenchard was designed in 1906 by the architect Walter Sarel in an Arts and Crafts style and the gardens were laid out to reflect the popular planting schemes of the time. Wide terraces extend from the house providing plenty of open air space to sit and entertain; along one edge of the sweep of lawn there’s a water garden area based around a natural stream and there’s a woodland garden. Beyond the lawn and a clipped yew hedge walk there are views of the iconic Brentor.

Its original owners, Henry and Mary Sperling used their home to entertain friends and they also enjoyed being part of the community, welcoming local people, an ethos that Sarah and Philip are keen to respect.