Thomas Mawson – Life, gardens and landscapes

I was delighted to learn of Janet Waymark’s new book on the garden designer Thomas Hayton Mawson. ‘Thomas Mawson – life, gardens and landscapes’ is the first full biography of this restless, energetic and successful garden designer and with its publication Janet has at last put in print a fitting tribute.

I first became interested in Mawson after a visit to Graythwaite Manor in Cumbria several years ago. For too long he has been ignored by the gardening elite and it is only relatively recently – in the 1990’s -  that we have come to realise what an accomplished and clever designer he was and due tribute to his work has been paid.

A self-taught horticulturist, who came from a humble background, Mawson set up his design practice in the Lake District and by the early 20th century he was much sought-after. Although many of his gardens may have disappeared or been redeveloped there are still plenty of examples of his work throughout the UK. Several of his gardens are undergoing renovation such as those at Rivington and the recently restored gardens at Rydal Hall, in Cumbria.

Initially, his trademark terraces and stonework allowed views to the surrounding hills and lakes of the Lake District and as his gardens grew in recognition so his work took him farther afield. He was rooted in the City Beautiful Movement and worked across North America carrying the idea that beautiful surroundings led to contented people.

For Mawson, who could name crowned heads of Europe amongst his clients, his greatest honour was his commission to design the palace gardens and parks in Athens for the King of Greece. His own books, ‘The Art and Craft of Garden Making’ and ‘Civic Art’, passed on his skills to others and are important reference texts in their own right.

Janet Waymark has used much new material in the making of this book and has obtained images and source material from relatives and public and private sources. She not only plots out Mawson’s professional career as a designer and landscaper, she also fills in some of the gaps in his lesser known personal life. The author helps the reader understand the importance of his family in the development of his business – he went into partnership with his brothers - and Mawson’s various roles as teacher, writer and campaigner.

He constantly made the case for the ‘harmonious combination of architecture and nature in the setting out of the garden’ and having visited his gardens one cannot fail to be impressed and inspired by his distinctive garden style. He designed gardens for beautiful arts and crafts houses, country estates, public parks and palaces, nothing was too small or too big.

The author includes a comprehensive list of Mawson’s commissions at the rear of the book including his civic commissions and work he carried out outside the UK.

Gardens with familiar names are covered:  Langdale Chase, Windermere, Rydal Hall, Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute, Rivington, Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton, Holker Hall, Grange-over-Sands, Blackwell, nr Windermere, Hartpury House, Gloucestershire and Holehird are just some of the gardens he created or worked on.

His town planning commissions included Port Sunlight, the South Shore, Blackpool, Hastings and St Leonards, Sussex and Weston-super-Mare. Between 1905 and 1932 he carried out commissions in the USA, Greece, Canada and France and for the first time the book gives us the wider picture of Mawson’s extensive portfolio.

‘Thomas Mawson – life, gardens and landscapes’ is thoroughly and carefully researched and very comprehensive. There are excellent illustrations and diagrams of his gardens and parks, family portraits and exceptionally fine colour prints. The book is a coffee table edition and quite weighty but is exceptionally laid out and illustrated.

The author, Janet Waymark, has taught and organised courses in garden history at the Architectural Association and Birbeck College. She left no stone unturned in her quest to discover the full story of Thomas Mawson and through the pages of this excellent book we are treated to a wonderful episode in garden history.

It is a book no devotee of Mawson should be without and for the uninitiated it is a book which will stimulate a strong desire to find out more and discover his gardens for yourself.

Published by Frances Lincoln Ltd, ‘Thomas Mawson -  life, gardens and landscapes’ is now on sale at £40 (US $65)  and worth every penny.