The present Fellows鈥 Garden was designed in 1947 by Professor Nevill Willmer, a physiologist and Fellow of Clare from 1936 to his death in 2001.
In dividing the Garden into separate sections (some almost like 鈥榬ooms鈥), Willmer was inspired by the great garden of the Arts and Crafts period at Hidcote in Gloucestershire. But his goal was by no means simply imitation; it was also experiment. The Garden brings together two of Willmer鈥檚 interests: the landscape painting that he practised as an amateur and the principles of colour vision that he studied as a physiologist.
Thinking pictorially, Willmer conceived of a number of landscape pictures to be seen from different vantage points, such as the west front of the college and the Master鈥檚 Lodge, the bridge over the Cam, or the view from the Avenue through the gate to the Sunken Garden beyond.
Fellows Garden
Due to the ongoing building work in Old Court, the Fellows Garden is currently closed. We anticipate that it will re-open in 2024.
River Beds
Yellow and Blue Border
Sunken Garden
Tropical Garden
Memorial Court
Two large Pine trees dominate the lawns either side and in 2006 the planting around the edge of the court underwent a much needed redesign. The tired mixed shrub strips were updated and extended by the Head Gardener at the time, Steve Elstub, and his team. The plantings include an array of Cistus鈥, Miscanthus, Agapanthus, Sedums and Chamaerops humilis 鈥榁ulcano鈥.
Ashby Court
Castle Court
The Avenue
Yellow, white, a dash of blue,
Daffodil, daisy, scylla too.
Iron gates, black and gold,
Clare鈥檚 colours wrought in bold.
Our Avenue鈥檚 dressed herself for Spring.
Nothing to wear but her very best.
We who walk her in silence sing,
Praising her beauty, being blessed.
- Terence Moore
Our Avenue, Late Spring
That Spring dress鈥 all tattered and torn,
Scruffy, bedraggled, withered and worn.
Gone the yellow, the white, the dash of blue,
Till Summer comes undress must do.
Our Avenue must bear Nature鈥檚 pace.
We who love you in patience wait.
Waiting whilst you re-grow your grace,
Hoping Summer鈥檚 sun will it re-create.
- Terence Moore