Dame Judi Dench's Surrey Garden: A Living Memorial to Lost Loved Ones
Dame Judi Dench's garden in Surrey is more than just a beautiful landscape; it is a deeply personal sanctuary filled with memories and poignant tributes. Spanning 2.4 hectares (six acres), the property boasts approximately 100 trees, qualifying it as an arboretum. Among these are carpets of wild garlic and a wildlife pond frequented by rabbits. However, each tree holds special significance, representing someone Dench has lost over the years.
As her eyesight has nearly faded, Dench, who appears in the latest episode of the Royal Horticultural Society's podcast Roots, navigates her garden through memories and scent. In an intimate reveal, she shares the stories behind eight key items that define this cherished space.
A Young Oak Tree for Her Husband
Dench was married to actor Michael Williams for three decades before his passing from lung cancer in 2001. She is preparing to plant a young oak tree, a gift from her daughter Finty and grandson Sammy, to commemorate their wedding anniversary. "It was just a little kind of stick when it arrived. And now it's full of buds at the top," she says. The family plans to choose a planting spot together in the coming weeks.
A Swimming Pool
The garden features a swimming pool on the lawn, which Dench and her family, all avid swimmers, regularly enjoy. She emphasizes that they "make great use" of it, with Dench herself taking laps frequently.
A White Garden
An area dedicated to white flowering plants serves as another tribute to her late husband. "He would plant things and he decided that should be the white garden," Dench explains. The space includes beautifully scented white lilac trees, which are among her favorites, and she feels his presence throughout.
A Memorial Woodland
Dench's passion for trees stems from childhood memories of lying in her pram and gazing up at oak leaves. She has long campaigned to protect trees and woodlands. Each tree in her garden has personal meaning; for instance, a magnolia represents Dingo, a friend of her brother's. "There are so many people here. I have over 100. That's a lot of people to have lost, but that's what happens when you get to 91, I guess," she reflects.
A Wildlife Pond
The garden's wildlife pond is a hub of activity, home to water voles, ducks, deer, rabbits, and even a badger. Dench finds joy in observing these creatures, noting, "We see a lot of it in this garden."
Wild Garlic
Dench cherishes the wild garlic that carpets her garden, appreciating its scent and the upcoming bloom of white flowers. "In a few weeks, it's just one mass of white flowers. It's very, very beautiful," she says. She humorously recalls seeing it sold at a local farm shop and thinking, "oh, hello, I've got a business!"
Queen Victoria Statue
A severe-looking statue of Queen Victoria stands imposingly in a hedge, a souvenir from the set of the 2017 film Victoria & Abdul, in which Dench played the monarch. After filming, the production company offered it to her, and she accepted, placing it in a private spot. "She's not seen by anybody. She's very private," Dench notes.
An Absence of Garden Tools
Despite her love for the garden, Dench refuses to garden due to a phobia of worms, stemming from a childhood incident in York. "A worm jumped into my sandal and I couldn't get it out," she explains. Instead, she relies on her gardener, Joe, who tends to the space beautifully.
This garden is not just a retreat but a testament to Dench's life, loss, and enduring connection to nature and memory.
