When Monty Don and his wife Sarah first bought their home in Ivington, Herefordshire in 1991, the property was little more than a crumbling structure surrounded by weeds, nettles and overgrown land. There was no roof, no running water, and no electricity.
Three decades later, that same plot has become Longmeadow — a sprawling, TV-famous garden estate regularly featured on Gardeners’ World.
The transformation is now considered one of the most iconic garden restorations in the UK, featuring multiple themed spaces, working vegetable plots, glasshouses and creative garden rooms — all built gradually over years of hands-on work.
Despite its peaceful countryside image, the location itself reflects rising demand for rural living. Nearby villages now see average property values around £680,000, turning this once-quiet area into one of the region’s most desirable pockets.
Yet for Monty, the real value lies not in the market price — but in what has been built slowly over 30 years of constant work, memory and attachment.
Even the grounds carry personal history, with a quiet woodland area dedicated to beloved family pets, marked with small headstones — a reminder that Longmeadow is as much a home as it is a lifelong project.
From a forgotten field to a nationally recognised garden, Longmeadow remains unfinished — still evolving with every season.