I am a garden historian, academic but not dry, informative and entertaining, as well as practical and engaging. I have run courses and lectured for Professional and Continuing Education for over 30 years, my courses and lectures study centuries of gardens from the Ancient World to Royal domains, from vast formal designs and landscapes to domestic plots and kitchen gardens. I speak internationally, live and online, delving into the myriad ways people and plants have shaped our world. Whether speaking or writing, a sense of humour is essential and makes for entertaining memories, I have spoken on every continent except Antarctica. I have been an Academic Tutor for the University of Cambridge ICE (Institute of Continuing Education), acted as a representative on the Courses Review Panel and Course Director for the International Summer Programmes and Virtual Festivals of Learning
TV, Video and Radio
During 2020 I presented Monet’s Garden at Giverny for Viking TV https://viking.tv/live/monday/explore-claude-monets-life-in-giverny-with-guest-lecturer-caroline-holmes in 2022 Explore English homes and gardens with guest lecturer Caroline Holmes | Viking.TVas well as being filmed in my own garden. I presented Telling the Stories of England in 2016, when I was filmed in Sussex at Gravetye Manor and Petworth as well as Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. I co-presented the TV series Glorious Gardens, a garden design and history series for Anglia, Meridian and Channel TV as well as guesting on many gardening programmes. She has presented several BBC Radio Four series including the award-winning New Shoots, Old Tips and A Sun Parched Country about drought in Australia.
Author
I have written twelve books, Where the wildness pleases – the English garden celebrated was launched in June 2021, it explores 31 gardens on the High Weald. Water Lilies and Bory Latour-Marliac, the genius behind Monet’s Water Lilies was published in November 2015, it received the Herb Society of America ‘Elizabeth Crisp Rea Award’. I was keynote speaker at the International Water Garden conference at Giverny and Le Temple-sur-Lot in 2019. RHS Herbs for the Gourmet Gardener was finalist in the Garden Media Guild 2014 Reference Book of the Year Award. The not so little Book of Dung was listed as one of ten Christmas presents for gardeners by the Evening Standard in December 2016. I have also received the Herb Society of America ‘Gertrude B. Foster Award for Excellence in Herbal Literature’.
My other titles include Impressionists in their Gardens, Follies of Europe – architectural extravaganzas, Why do Violets shrink? Answers to 280 thorny questions on the world of plants, Victorian Gardens, New Shoots, Old Tips, A Zest for Herbs and Icons of Garden Design
Lecturer
Internationally for The Arts Society in UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. I have also spoken across the USA, and in Japan, France, Ireland, Portugal and Scandinavia. I am a cruise speaker for Noble Caledonia, Viking including Viking TV, and Seabourn, full listing on The Cruise Ship Enrichment Network www.cruiseshipenrichment.net
I am also a speaker for the Gardens Trust live and online, RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) as well as a range of organisations. I give lectures online for the Australian Garden History Society.
Consultancies have included community projects and tree planting for a new housing development in Norfolk. Humanist Renaissance inspired gardens for Notre Dame de Calais, see www.horti-history.com to watch a video of the early stages; Knots, Orchards and Operatic Borders for the Royal Opera House at High House, Essex; the plantings and lore for the Poison Garden in The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland, and ‘A Green Chronology of Gardens’ in Kent.
Past Chairman of the (UK) Herb Society, member of Garden Media Guild and Ambassador for Garden Organic. Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.
Comments on talks and lectures
“Whether traveling with Caroline Holmes by way of book or spoken word, you are in for a treat. Caroline's vast knowledge of regional and horticultural history will capture your imagination and transport you to the place and time.”
“Caroline Holmes … is an amazing and very accomplished presenter and fun and her knowledge is so extensive. We were very lucky to listen to her.”
“… truly exceptional … in both design and delivery. Caroline is … brilliant and yet engagingly accessible; she's a fantastically dynamic lecturer and discussion leader … with endless knowledge, warmth, and wit.
“Caroline Holmes is so animated and enthusiastic about her subject. She really engages with her audience and includes interesting digressions as if talking with friends.”
“On a cold, wet January night your sun-filled lecture last night was a real tonic, and I am sure you could tell how well it went down with our members.”
“Thank you for last night's talk - it was an enjoyable tour de force - a mixture of history, garden design and art. …”
“I’ve had lovely positive comments about your lecture AND your wonderful clothes.”
“Your lecture was hugely enjoyable, and you really did paint a wonderful picture of Cedric Morris and his art and the world in which he lived. I have had very favourable feedback from members who have told me how much they enjoyed your talk, something I always like to pass on to lecturers.”
“Many thanks for coming to give us such a fascinating lecture today!”
“Thank you so much for a very interesting and enjoyable talk yesterday - just right for December!“
Visit my website www.horti-history.com
