Inside Judi Dench’s six-acre Surrey garden — Over 100 trees, a white garden and memories of her husband

"My eyesight is terrible. But being in the gardens always gives me solace. I can't see it's there, but I know it's there." — Dame Judi Dench to The Guardian.

An old barn, a swimming pool, an orchard, a white garden, a shepherd’s caravan, a horse made of driftwood — that's how Judi Dench painted a real scene of her wide six-acre garden.

The Guardian visited the most celebrated actor Dame Judi Dench's huge garden — a 2.4-hectare space with a wildlife pond for little creatures' water supply and Queen Victoria's statue.


While discussing the garden elements that mean most to her with The Guardian, she highlights that each tree in the garden represents her tribute to the loved ones who are no more — like a beautiful young oak tree standing strong, dedicated to her husband Michael Williams — an actor to whom she was married for 30 years. Williams died of lung cancer in 2001.

She says, "Oak is a family name of mine. As friends die, I plant trees for them." She remembers trees planted for John Stride, Dingle, and Mike.

She is about to plant another oak tree to commemorate her wedding anniversary — gifted to her by her daughter Finty and grandson Sammy.

She tells The Guardian, “It was just a little kind of stick when it arrived. And now it’s full of buds at the top.” She adds, “So, when we’re all together, probably in the next few weeks, we’ll choose a place to plant it.” There is a swimming pool on her lawn that Dench’s family ‘make great use of’. Everyone in her family is a keen swimmer, and she herself swims regularly.

Dench remembers her husband through the ‘White Garden’, which contains white flowering plants, including her favourite scented white lilac trees. “He would plant things, and he decided that should be the white garden,” she says. “He’s present in the garden.”

While describing her huge garden and the wildlife that mesmerises her, she adds, "We have some water voles, ducks, deer, and a lot of rabbits. I don’t like gardening at all. Joe (the gardener) does it beautifully for me. I am frightened of worms. I like a snake but am afraid of worms." Dench states, "Although I am not a gardener, I find gardens so essential."

Reminiscing about her childhood days, she says, "We had a long, narrow garden with a barn at the end of it in New York. We used to rake the pears off. I also remember this incredible lily of the valley."

Forty years ago, when she bought the house, the garden had the pond, a bit of orchard, and a meadow with two donkeys.

Judi Dench has almost lost her eyesight, but she finds peace in her garden and amidst the trees. Her contribution towards protecting green spaces is well known.

She says that she doesn't cook. "I can burn everything. I am no good at cooking," she said while recalling picnics, parties and get-togethers.

Dame Judi Dench has accolades including an Academy Award, 10 competitive BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award and eight Olivier Awards, including a special honour. She holds two of Britain’s most prestigious honours: a damehood and membership of the Order of the Companions of Honour.