In early September, Monty Don revealed he will be stepping down from Gardeners' World, a show he has been at the helm of for 23 years.
On his reasons for departing the beloved BBC programme, Monty cited the demands of his Herefordshire home, Longmeadow, where he shoots the television show.
"The commute is delightfully short, but when I go home, I take the job with me, seven days a week, 24 hours a day," he said. "One day this summer, I woke up and knew it was time to stop. Simple as that."
© Getty ImagesA change is coming
Changes are afoot at Longmeadow, where Monty lives with his wife, Sarah. Since he began filming the show at his home, the BBC has paid for two gardeners to help maintain the property. The horticulturist explained they will both be let go following his departure from the show.
"I have had two full-time gardeners and have had them since I have been on Gardeners' World, and from day one it’s been in my BBC contract that I have to have two full-time gardeners,” the 71-year-old said during an event at the RHS Malvern flower show this autumn.
© GettyHe explained that he employed the extra help because the garden had to look camera-ready at all times. "If I'm off filming in the Rhine or India or somewhere like that, somebody has got to be getting it ready."
He continued: "The BBC pays a contribution towards their wages. Not enough, but they do pay something, which is great. Obviously, that contribution is going to go. They are a great team and we all work together really well. I will have to think of ways – I can't afford it unless we earn money from it, so I am going to think of ways of earning something from the garden, but I can't do that until the middle of next year at the earliest."
Monty added that the garden will not be opened to the public, as it's his own private space, so other than glimpses on social media, fans will no longer be given insight into Longmeadow.
Not to worry though – read on for insights into the sprawling home...
Finding Longmeadow
When he first found the historic Tudor hall house in 1991 with a two-acre abandoned field behind, Monty and Sarah embarked on a decade of restorations to transform it into the haven it is now.
© Colin McPherson"When we bought this house it was a ruin – no roof, electricity, running water or sanitation," Monty told The English Home. "It took 10 years to finish the initial building work, but it has been a privilege and joy to restore."
He described it to the publication as: "A Tudor hall house characterised by a lot of 500-year old oak beams. Scruffy, quirky and spacious, it is designed around creative life rather than entertaining or impressing – there are 10 work rooms and studios but only one sitting room and four bedrooms."
Though it isn't made to 'entertain' or 'impress', Longmeadow is an undeniably breathtaking property, perfect for Monty, Sarah and their dogs. Scroll down to get a glimpse inside their magnificent home…
© InstagramThe exterior
Monty's home is breathtaking. The traditional red-brick exterior, and beautifully pruned box hedges, make you feel like you've stepped into the past. This particular photo captures one side of the house, but around the front, the Tudor design elements shine through, with oak timbers on show.
© InstagramLiving room
Monty's sitting room is the embodiment of cosy country living. Characterised by neutrals and earth tones, the space is light and airy, thanks to the oak-frame windows and white linen curtains. A voracious reader, the TV star has also installed bookcases along the back wall.
At the centre of the room, Monty and Sarah have an armchair each, but more often than not, it's the dogs that occupy them! In the past, the Gardeners' World presenter has joked that it's "illegal" for the dogs to sit on the furniture, but it seems that his pets have other ideas.
© InstagramKitchen
Monty spends a lot of time in the kitchen. During his interview with The English Home, he even called it "the beating heart of the house."
"It is a large farmhouse kitchen with a big open fireplace, long oak table where we mostly eat and, of course, a large Aga, which we bought in pieces from the corner of a builders' merchant in 1991 for £1,000," he told the publication.
Above, you can also see the 500-year-old oak beams which adorn the interiors – a reminder of Longmeadow's rich history.
© InstagramThe potting shed
Since 2011, Longmeadow has served as the primary filming location for Gardeners’ World, and if you’re a die-hard fan of the show, you’ll be well-acquainted with Monty’s potting shed. Equipped with endless gardening tools and trays; this month the star’s been using the space to plant tulips in anticipation for spring 2024.
© InstagramThe summer house on the mound
In the warmer months, Monty heads over to the summer house on the mound to write. A tranquil workspace, the 68-year-old began working on the space in 2021, sharing his DIY efforts on Instagram.
Starting with a pavilion shell, Monty began the renovation by painting the exterior a bright shade of green, before lining the interiors with recycled tongue and groove boards. He's since added two Victorian Smokers Bow Chairs, plus a classic oak table for writing, and a side unit for photo frames and mementoes.
