When Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant made their way to Charleston in 1916, they found a garden brimming with fruit trees and vegetables. In 1918, the art critic Roger Fry, a dear friend of theirs, transformed the space by introducing a rectangular lawn, gravel pathways, and flowerbeds, which Bell and Grant adorned with their favorite blooms to paint.

The garden frequently served as a stage where Bell’s children and their friends would put on impromptu plays, and it also became an outdoor gallery showcasing many sculptures created by Vanessa’s son, Quentin. Since opening to the public in 1986, the garden has remained a vibrant place for exploration and inspiration, as well as a serene spot for reflection.