Sharon asked Nicola Cornick:

I'm in the middle of The Winter Garden and it is such a lovely book. The read is great! And, you have given me a new passion: garden history. We have a native garden with a kind of gangly herb bed that you've inspired me to make into a knot. Is garden history a passion of yours or did it just come up in your research? Are you planning on including it in any future novels? Thank you!

Nicola Cornick Thank you - I'm so happy that you are enjoying the book! I love that you are planning a knot garden with your herb bed! I'm not an expert on garden history but it has interested me for a number of years since I started working at Ashdown House and learned about the sort of garden that was designed to go with a hunting lodge in the 17th century. When I was researching The Winter Garden I visited Kenilworth Castle and Lyveden New Bield and others to get inspiration. It was wonderful. Thanks so much for the question and all best wishes, Nicola

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