MA Garden History

About the course

The University of Buckingham’s Master’s in Garden History (and associated PhD) is the only academic programme offered by a UK University  focusing on research at Master’s level in a wide range of garden- and landscape- history related topics: from explorations of individual sites; their designers, gardeners and owners; to studies of the social and political use of gardens, or aspects of their heritage conservation and management.

The course is led by historic gardens consultant Dr Twigs Way whose research interests span a broad chronology of garden history, focussing on cultural and political context and roles of gender and class.  The MA may be undertaken either full-time (over one year) or part-time (over two).

At the heart of the Buckingham Master’s degree is the close working relationship between student and supervisor. While the final thesis must be an independent work, it is the supervisor who offers advice on refining the topic (if necessary), on primary sources, on secondary reading, on research techniques and on writing the final text (which should be not less than 25,000 words).  Support is given to students in the skills and methodologies necessary for the undertaking of their research as well as in exploration of contextual materials. Guidance will be provided on suitability of topics but the choice of subject area is ultimately the student’s own.

The MA is awarded solely on the basis of the dissertation and the relationship between the student and supervisors is therefore key. Every Master’s student in School of Humanities is supported by two supervisors. There is a First (or Principal) Supervisor, who is the student’s regular guide during his or her research and with whom the student meets regularly throughout the year (at least twice a term), on a one-to-one basis to discuss, plan, and review the dissertation as it develops develops. There is also a Second Supervisor, whom the student may consult on a more limited basis where a ‘second opinion’ on a particular draft chapter may be helpful.

Although original individual research is the prime focus of the programme, there is also a strongly collegial aspect to the course, and all research students meet regularly in the first two terms for early-evening seminars delivered by a range of distinguished garden historians,  owners and managers of historic designed landscapes (see below for the 2026-7 programme). Seminars may be followed by either drinks or a dinner at a nearby restaurant where discussion continues. (Dinner costs are not included in fees).

Seminars are supplemented by on-line lectures focussing on providing a background framework in garden history in recognition that there is currently no undergraduate course in the subject. Visits to a range of sites exemplifying aspects of historic garden design and conservation approaches are also integral to the course and students often supplement these by informal visits as a student group.

In-person seminars will normally take place at The University of Buckingham’s Humanities Research Institute London base  at 51 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, WC1E 6HJ, close to the British Library but field trips are across the country and students will be expected to make their own way there. Supervisions may be in person or on-line.

Students also have access to seminars and Research Days across other research courses in the Faculty including the Country House, Biography etc also usually held in Gower St.

Reflections on the Course by Previous Students

What drew me to the programme was its openness to interdisciplinary thinking – allowing me to bring together history, heritage, and environmental perspectives in a meaningful way.. . Despite many of us working part-time, there is a strong sense of intellectual community. Conversations extend beyond formal teaching, and there is a shared enthusiasm for uncovering overlooked histories within landscape and garden history studies. – Anna Auchter Part Time PhD student

In an otherwise challenging life the MA in Garden History has brought me a sense of purpose and wellbeing. The fortnightly lectures from renowned garden historians and owners are absolutely fascinating and cover the most extraordinary range of information and ideas about garden history as well as garden renovation. – Clare Carmen Part Time MA student

The seminars with leading garden historians and garden experts are stimulating and fascinating, and the course tutors are extremely knowledgeable and supportive. The other students are researching a wide range of topics, adding to the interest of the course. – Peter Godfrey Part Time MA student

The programme of talks offers such a unique and exciting opportunity to hear from leading speakers in the garden world, and small groups means it’s always possible to ask questions relevant to your specific area of research. – Hannah Stuart-Leach Part Time PhD student

I enjoyed the Masters so much that I have now embarked on a six-year part-time PhD with The University of Buckingham – Clare Waters MA and now PhD Part Time student

Seminars and Site Visits: Dates and Venues for 2026-27

Please note that, unless otherwise stated, all seminars take place at The University of Buckingham’s offices, 51 Gower St, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 6HJ. All seminars and online lectures start at 17.30 pm, unless otherwise stated, with the talk by the visiting speaker, and this is followed by a question session and discussion. There is usually a drinks reception or the option of diner at a local Bloomsbury restaurant for the speaker and students after the seminar (not included in the course fees).

Saturday 3 October all day 10.30 – 16.00
Course Introduction Day  (51 Gower St, London)
Dr Twigs Way

Saturday 10 October all day 10.30-16.30
Site Visit to Wrest Park (Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HR)
Led by Dr Twigs Way (Programme Director)

Sunday 11 October all day 10.30-16.30
Site Visit to Stowe Gardens, Buckingham MK18 5EQ
Led by Dr Twigs Way (Programme Director)

Thursday 15 October 17.30-19.00 venue Lindley Library
Guided Tour of the RHS Lindley Library led by Fiona Davison (Head of RHS Libraries and Exhibitions)
Meet at: Lindley Library, Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE

Thursday 29 October 17.30
Tim Richardson (Independent landscape historian and critic)
‘What On Earth is Garden History?’

Monday 3 November, 10.30-17.00
Faculty Induction Day, at the Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BE Arrangements TBC

Thursday 12 November
Mark Bradshaw (Regional Head of LET Estate, National Trust), ‘Lyveden New Bield: Research and Restoration of an Elizabethan Garden’ 

Saturday 14 November
Garden Trust Symposium of New Research All Day Online Event students are encouraged to attend

Thursday 26 November
Corinne Price (Head Gardener Marble Hill, English Heritage), ‘Restoring the gardens at Marble Hill House’

Thursday 21 January
Dr Laura Mayer (Independent Researcher), ‘A life in designs: Humphry Repton’  Title TBC

Thursday 4 February
Fiona Davison (Head of RHS Libraries and Exhibitions), Fiona will speak on her recent books including ‘An Almost Impossible Thing’, ‘Hidden Horticulturalists’ Title tbc

Thursday 18 February
Dr Catherine Horwood (Independent Author and Researcher), ‘Contrasting Life Stories: Beth Chatto and Penelope Hobhouse’

Thursday 25 February
Progress Report Presentations by Students, Venue TBC

Thursday 4 March
Seminar speaker TBC

Thursday 18 March
Tom Coward (Head Gardener Gravetye Manor), Willliam Robinson, Gravetye Manor and the Wild Gardens

Sunday 4 April all day 10.30-16.30
Site Visit to Claremont Landscape Garden (Surrey) led by Twigs Way (Programme Director)
and Painshill (Surrey) led by Cherrill Sands (Consultant Garden Historian)

Sunday 16 May all day 10.30-16.30
Site Visit: TBA

Additional online lectures and discussions to support students in the appreciation of the wider context of garden history will be held online on alternate Thursdays in Autumn and Winter terms led by Dr Twigs Way.  The dates for these are 22 October, 5 November, 19 November, 3 December, 14 January, 28 January, 11 March. All students are encouraged to attend.

Research and Dissertation

The MA by research is ideal for members of the county-based Gardens Trusts as well as professionals in the arena of historic gardens, and anyone with an academic interest in history of designed gardens and landscapes.

The University of Buckingham MA programmes are intended to impart all the skills necessary for the student to then undertake independent research and writing, but the MA can be undertaken just as fulfillingly as an exercise in the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, and as a means of exploring areas of enquiry that are of particular interest to the student.

Students are expected to produce a Research Proposal, including literature review and draft bibliography, by the start of the second term if full-time, or midway through the first year if part-time.  It is therefore advisable for applicants to consider topics that are of interest to them either prior to commencing the course or during the first term, though the Programme Director is happy to provide guidance where the student does not commence with a subject already in mind.

The Course Director Dr Twigs Way is available to offer advice to prospective students who would like to discuss possible subjects for their research before they apply. Twigs can be reached directly by email at twigs.way@buckingham.ac.uk

The maximum length for the MA dissertation in the School of Humanities is 25,000 words (or approximately 75 pages at line-spacing of 1.5), excluding notes and references.

Associate Students

For those who wish to attend the seminars and to join the post-seminar dinners with the visiting speakers but not undertake academic research, it is possible to join the programme as an Associate Student (what is known as an Audit Student in the United States). Associate Students do not enrol for the MA and do not have to submit any written work, but they are otherwise full members of the seminar and free to take part in discussion. There is also a substantially reduced fee. For further information, please contact humanitiespg-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk

Course Director and Supervisors

Dr Twigs Way is a researcher, writer , lecturer and consultant in historic designed landcapes with a broad range of knowledge across garden history of all periods and themes. She has particular interests in the role of gender and class in garden history, and the cultural overlap between gardens, art and literature. Twigs Way originally graduated from UCL (Institute of Archaeology) and went on to complete her PhD at Cambridge on power dynamics in landscape. From 2005-2024 Twigs was a consultant in historic designed landscapes, specialising in the creation of Parkland Management Plans (PMPs) and Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) for clients including Historic England, Natural England and private landowners. She set up the Certificate and Diploma in Garden History at the University of Cambridge, Institute for Continuing Education, was Chair of the Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust and continues to train conservation volunteers across several county gardens trusts. Twigs is a guest lecturer for the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens as well as an Accredited Speaker for the Arts Society. She has published on a range of topics including the histories of specific plants in art and culture, wartime gardening, allotment gardens, histories of the role of women in the garden and ‘A Nation of Gardeners’ with the Museum of Garden History.

Dr David Marsh who set up The University of Buckingham MA in Garden History acts as a first or second supervisor for many of the students. David Marsh was awarded his PhD for a study of the ‘Gardens and Gardeners of Later-Stuart London’ and has been lecturing and supervising research in Garden History ever since. He was co-convener of the History of Gardens and Designed Landscapes seminar at Institute of Historical Research, University of London, from 2011-2022. He was a trustee of the Gardens Trust and chaired their Education Committee from 2015 to 2023. He set up the Gardens Trust’s successful on-line lecture programme and is the author of their weekly blog about Garden History.

Other internal and external supervisors may be allocated to students depending on their particular topics of research including lecturers and programme directors in Biography (Dr Ophelia Field) and Country House studies (Dr Adrian Tinniswood).

Seminar Speakers

Mark Bradshaw is the Regional Head of Let Estate for the National Trust. Mark led the initial research and restoration of Lyveden New Bield Elizabethan landscape and gardens, before becoming involved in the garden restoration at Canons Ashby and involved in the garden restoration there and oversaw restoration projects at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire.

Tom Coward Renown Head Gardener who has led the restoration of the gardens at  Gravetye Manor, Sussex since 2010 continuing the legacy of the ‘wild garden’ created by William Robinson. Trained at RHS Wisley and RHS Kew, Tom spent several years at Great Dixter as assistant head gardener to Fergus Garrett, focussing on the trademark naturalistic planting styles.

Fiona Davison is Head of Libraries and Exhibitions at the Royal Horticultural Society, researcher and author of the acclaimed ‘An Almost Impossible Thing: The radical lives of Britain’s pioneering women gardeners’ and ‘The Hidden Horticulturalists’, named as one of the Gardening Books of the Year by the Daily Telegraph in 2019.

Dr Catherine Horwood is an English journalist, author and social historian and has researched and published books on Women and their Gardens, the history of the Rose, and the history of the fashion for indoor plants. She is the authorised biographer of the British plantswoman, garden designer, and author Beth Chatto and her Beth Chatto: a life with plants won the European Garden Book of the Year award in 2020. She has recently completed an authorised biography of Penelope Hobhouse.

Dr Laura Mayer is an independent lecturer and researcher. She holds an MA in Garden History and a PhD on eighteenth-century architecture and landscape design.  She has published extensively, most notably on Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, and Humphry Repton and leads courses on all aspects of the eighteenth century garden including the Picturesque and gardenesque movements. She also lectures for the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens.

Corinne Price Head Gardener at Marble Hill overseeing the restoration of the gardens on behalf of English Heritage, Corinne also worked at Wrest Park (Bedfordshire) during the very substantial restoration project across that multi-period site, and as gardens manager at the unique Swiss Gardens, Bedford.

Tim Richardson is a garden-writer, historian and critic, and an advisor to the National Trust on gardens. His many books include The Arcadian Friends, Avant Gardeners, and The New English Garden. He regularly contributes to the Daily Telegraph and Country Life.

Cherrill Sands has been engaged as Historical Consultant at Painshill Landscape  Garden in Surrey since 2004. She is a freelance researcher and lecturer and former Chair of the Surrey Gardens Trust .

Christopher Woodward Director of the Garden Museum since 2007, overseeing its major reconstruction and re-launch as a home for exhibitions, events and community projects across garden related arts. The Garden Museum is home to the Archive of Garden Design which preserves and provides access to the working records of leading British garden designers of the 20^th and 21^st century and has been the lead partner in the research and ‘restoration’ of Benton End, Suffolk.

ASSOCIATE STUDENTS

For those who wish to attend the seminars and to join the post-seminar dinners with the visiting speakers, it is possible to join the programme as an Associate Student (what is known as an Audit Student in the United States). Associate Students do not enrol for the MA and do not have to submit any written work, but they are otherwise full members of the seminar and free to take part in discussion. There is also a substantially reduced fee.

For further information, please contact humanitiespg-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk