Inspirational Islanders: Ellen and Ali Penstone-Smith, Head Gardeners at Farringford

On an upcoming Gardener’s World show, we’ll see how Ali and Ellen have reimagined the Victorian garden of the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson at Farringford on the Isle of Wight.

Island-born Ellen studied at the Isle of Wight College and, after a spell of volunteering at Ventnor Botanic Garden, she headed off to the mainland to study horticulture at Wisley and Kew.  After several years working in France, she returned to RHS Wisley, met Ali, and love blossomed.

With a degree in landscape management, Ali had spent time working at Windsor Great Park before progressing through the ranks at Wisley to become Team Leader of the woodland section. Combining their wealth of experience, starting the gardens from scratch at Farringford was the opportunity of a lifetime for the couple and they relocated to the Island.

Ellen and Ali have returned the Farringford estate garden to its original informal planting scheme, including an award-winning walled garden and parkland walk with enchanting views of the house and High Down. We chatted to them about their favourite places on the Isle of Wight. 

What is it about the Island that appeals to you as a place to live and work?

Ellen: I grew up on the Island but left at 18 to study. We moved here together from Surrey to create gardens at Farringford. Living between the A3 and M25 meant the tranquillity of the Isle of Wight was a big pull. We are now surrounded by beautiful places to walk and a slower pace of life. We feel blessed to have a fantastic coastline and amazing beaches on our doorstep.

Where is your favourite place on the Island?

Ali: I’d like to say Farringford is my favourite, but a special place is Osborne, where we had our wedding reception.

Ellen: My favourite place is Brook. I have many childhood memories of spending time there and visiting ‘Uncle’ Bill, who was a lifeboatman back when the station was in use. He had an amazing vegetable garden and still drew his water from a well! He was part of the last horse-drawn launch in 1933.

Where is your favourite beach on the Island?

Ali: Our favourite beach? That’s tough; we have so many. There is something lovely about sitting on Totland beach and watching the sunset. One of our favourite places to take our daughter is Steephill Cove for a paddle and an ice cream.

Where is your favourite place on the Island to go for a walk?

We enjoy walking to Tennyson’s monument; it has amazing views that stretch for miles. On the way back down, there is a good view of Farringford’s walled garden and a chance to admire our hard work.

What is your favourite Island event?

We have a few favourite events we like to go to throughout the year. As gardeners, we enjoy Wolverton Manor Garden Fair. There are lots of Island growers, entertainment and a chance to find one-off pieces in the craft tent. As a family, I’d say the Yarmouth Fireworks, with the torchlit procession and fireworks over the sea, is our favourite. We imagine it’s a nice surprise for anyone crossing on the ferry!

If readers only had an hour on the Island, what would you recommend they do or where would you recommend they visit?

Yarmouth is just off the ferry and so close to us that we are often there, either grabbing a coffee from PO41, enjoying an ice cream on the pier or looking through shops. It’s a great place to pop into for a quick look around and places to eat. We would also recommend getting the Needles Breezer from there, it even stops at Farringford!

To find out more about Farringford, visit farringford.co.uk.