West Green House Garden could be the inspiration for a Jane Austen novel. It is a quintessentially English manor house and garden but with a twist. The garden intriguingly combines neo-classical style with flamboyant contemporary design. Its hallmark is its lavish planting and use of vibrant colour combinations, whilst retaining its historic mood which is both original and inspirational. A grand water staircase provides the focal point to the Nymphaeum fountain designed by architect Quinlan Terry. The magnificent Walled Garden is entered through an arbour of wisteria where an allee of apples trees divides its elaborate potager planted with berry filled fruit cages, annual flowers and colourful vegetables, from its signature perennial borders that give a feel of mystery and romance. Beyond the walls there is a dramatic new Persian style Water Garden, a Dragon Garden planted with black red peonies, a restored Lake Field carpeted in the spring with fritillaries, daffodils and bluebells and which embraces one of England’s most eclectic collections of garden follies. A path leads from the serenity of the lake to the contemporary Garden of the Five Bridge with its serpentine ribbon of Iris sibirica “Papillion” crossed by chinoisire inspired bridges. It meanders on through a woodland glade to the terraced Theatre Lawn facing the west front of the 18th century house, where busts of gods and emperors now framed with roses, watch over the garden. It offers four seasons of beauty, contrast and inspiration, with its stunning planting, dazzling colour and touch of humour.