Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Presents ‘The Nation’s Best
Homes & Gardens’
Channel Five’s new show, I Own Britain’s
Best Home & Garden is set to hit TV screens
on Thursday September 4th at 8pm.
This four-part series follows Five’s successful series I Own Britain’s Best Home. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and a panel of esteemed green-fingered experts will be scrutinising some of the country’s most extraordinary gardens, the winner receiving one of the most prestigious horticultural accolades – a Channel Five / National Gardens Scheme ‘Gold Medal Award’.
In each episode, two gardens will be explored by the judges. From the cosiest example of cottage planting to a wild and wonderful exotic jungle; from a serene urban haven to a green eco Eden, each garden will celebrate its unique identity and viewers will see how it works in practical terms for its owner and those who enjoy it. Before the judges deliberate, Laurence will spend a day experiencing life at each featured home and garden and will get to the heart of the owner’s story and how they have created their own personal paradise.
The gardens are then handed over to the mercy of the three judges – straight-talking garden designer Anne Wareham, esteemed RHS Chelsea judge and medal winner Mark Gregory and Laetitia Maklouf, author of The Virgin Gardener. Each episode will also provide the viewer with the chance to re-create the designs at home, by following the information and take-out tips provided.
In a nail-biting conclusion to each programme, the two medal contenders will have to defend their gardens against the judges' criticisms and argue their case as to why they are a worthy winner of the Channel Five / NGS Medal, before the final victor is announced.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: “The thing that delights me most about presenting is the fact that I'm spending time in the midst of something the British have always done incredibly well. Finding Britain’s best garden is a very high bar because as a nation it seems we're just so darn good at it.”
Valerie Caldwell, Head of Marketing at the NGS, said, “We are delighted to be associated with a programme which recognises those people who are proud and passionate about their gardens. Any garden opening under the ‘Yellow Book’ has achieved a gold standard in terms of quality, character and interest. These garden owners are particularly brave to stand up to such public scrutiny and we applaud them.”
Five’s Head of Features, Alex Menzies, said: “After the success of I Own Britain’s Best Home, it is exciting to be able to extend the franchise into gardens and I can think of no-one better than Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to guide viewers through the series.”
I Own Britain’s Best Home & Garden is a TalkbackTHAMES production for Five.
Series Producers is Stephen Taylor Woodrow.
Executive Producer is John Comerford.
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For further information contact Stephanie Faber on 020 7550 5589 or stephanie.faber@five.tv
For stills contact Tristan Hopkins on 020 7550 5583 or tristan.hopkins@five.tv
Note to editors: Every year, the National Gardens Scheme gardens across England and Wales welcome over half a million visitors. Through this the NGS raises £2 million each year for nursing, caring and gardening charities. Most of the 3,600 gardens are privately owned and are listed in the pages of the famous ‘Yellow Book’, the annual directory listing the gardens opening for the NGS charities.