Grim’s Dyke House and Gardens stands as a fascinating piece of Victorian heritage nestled in Harrow Weald. Designed by Richard Norman Shaw and built in 1872 for the painter Frederick Goodall, this Grade II listed mansion has a rich history steeped in art, horticulture and theatrical fame.
The Artist Connection
Frederick Goodall, a successful genre painter, purchased the land in 1856, fulfilling his desire to live in the countryside. In his memoir, Goodall wrote, “I longed to live in the country, for I am particularly fond of gardening and flowers and I intended to make it my home.” His passion for horticulture led him to establish nurseries on the site. He cultivated an impressive collection of conifers, rhododendrons and azaleas. Many of these trees remain today, adding character to the landscape.
Goodall’s house was designed with artistry in mind. Building News described it in 1872 as “an artistic house for an artist by an artist.” The red brick structure, adorned with Bath stone dressings and timberwork, boasted a grand oak staircase and an expansive studio with large south-facing windows that diffused sunlight perfectly for Goodall’s paintings. His love for Egypt influenced his work at Grim’s Dyke, where props and even sheep from his travels found a home.
The English Dramatist & Librettist
In 1890, the property was bought by W. S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan fame. Described by historian Andrew Saint as “like some Victorian fruit cake, full of rich and diverse ingredients,”. The house was indeed transformed to suit Gilbert’s tastes. Gilbert added a croquet lawn, tennis courts and a lake for bathing. According to Nancy McIntosh, Gilbert’s adopted daughter, “he took great interest in growing fruit and added many houses for grapes, peaches and melons. But he left all the gardens and flowers in his wife’s hands as she had great knowledge and beautiful taste.”
Gilbert’s influence extended beyond the house. He planted additional trees and rhododendrons along the drive and oversaw the construction of a Pulhamite cascade and boat house. In his diary, Gilbert meticulously recorded garden achievements, such as noting the first strawberries of the season appearing on 6th April 1911.
Tragically, Grim’s Dyke became the site of Gilbert’s untimely death in 1911. Attempting to rescue a young swimmer in his lake, he suffered a fatal heart attack. Gilbert is buried at St John the Evangelist Churchyard in Stanmore, where each year the garden team creates a wreath to commemorate him.
The Widow Years
Lady Gilbert remained at Grim’s Dyke until her death in 1936. Her tenure saw the house become a vibrant hub of social and horticultural activity. At the Harrow Weald Horticultural Society’s annual show in 1921, Lady Gilbert’s exhibit was described as “a wonderful collection of vegetables… all had reached an extraordinary state of perfection.”
After Lady Gilbert’s death, the estate changed hands several times. It served as a TB rehabilitation unit from 1940 until 1963. During this time patients contributed to maintaining the gardens. Notably, Eva Gilbert (no relation), who began working in the gardens as a 14-year-old apprentice in 1922, returned during the Second World War as the chief propagator, ensuring the continuation of horticultural excellence.
Grim’s Dyke Today
The house eventually fell into disrepair before becoming a filming location for movies such as Curse of the Crimson Altar in 1968. From 1970 onwards, Grim’s Dyke found new life as a hotel. Despite some losses in garden features over time, the property retains its charm and continues to captivate visitors with its rich history and picturesque grounds.
As Frederick Goodall fondly recalled, “the greatest spell of relaxation I ever enjoyed was laying out the thirty acres of ground as a landscape garden at Grimsdyke.” That sentiment echoes today, as the gardens continue to flourish under careful stewardship.
By Helenka Jurgielewicz – Head Gardener at Grim’s Dyke Hotel
This blog is a summary version of Helenka’s article published in Volume 28 of The London Gardener. You can read it in full here.
To read more about the history and gardens of Grim’s Dyke, please visit https://grimsdyke.com/news/.