Diary of a Victorian Gardener

Miraculously discovered at a London fleamarket, the diary of William Cresswell is a saved treasure. This unique and fascinating record, kept meticulously by Cresswell for over two years, highlights his work in the extensive gardens at Audley End in Essex, and his earlier employment in Streatham. Not only does the diary give us an insight into the daily tasks and concerns of a journeyman gardener at a great country house, but it also provides a glimpse into contemporary events and Cresswell's everyday life, from the wooing of his girlfriend to his regular participation in church and village life. Published in full for the first time with a detailed glossary, as well as a history of Audley End and the restoration of the kitchen gardens in line with Cresswell's descriptions in 1874, this book will make an ideal gift for anyone interested in gardening and social history.