What is a Garden? by Edward Martin - A Talk via Zoom

This talk will be an archaeologist’s exploration of what makes a garden – how do we recognise one, what do we expect to find, and, importantly, how are our expectations influenced by the changing needs, values and beliefs of the societies we live in? Defining the significance of gardens has been an important strand in the work of the Suffolk Gardens Trust over the last few years as it has participated in a joint Gardens Trust and Historic England project entitled ‘Suffolk’s Unforgettable Garden Story’, which had the aim of increasing the number of Suffolk gardens on the official Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.

Edward is probably well known to most members as he was chairman of the SGT from 2021 to 2025. He also has over 40 years experience as a professional archaeologist and landscape historian. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a vice-president of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History. His chapter on East Anglia in Medieval Rural Settlement: Britain and Ireland 800-1600 (N. Christie, P. Stamper & S. Wrathmell eds, Windgather Press) is due to be published in September. Many of his other publications are available on-line at