Enter the gates of Ramster Hall and Gardens and you step into three hundred years of history. Ramster is a microcosm of the age that made England what it is today. It was built in the early 1700s by a wealthy industrialist who had a major role in the glassmaking industry. In those days Chiddingfold was the hub of the country’s glassmaking industry. 

For five hundred years the area used its plentiful sand and forests to feed the furnaces. Glass made in Chiddingfold was supplied for some of the country’s most important buildings, including St Stephen's Chapel in Westminster and St George's Chapel in Windsor.

Rams Nest, as it was then called, derived from the name for the abundant garlic that grows in the local wood, was built in the early 1700s and has been extended in the three centuries since it was built. After the decline of the glassmaking industry the estate became a farm. 

Sir Henry Waechter, a businessman and military figure, bought the estate in the early 1900s and made the farmhouse into a gentleman’s residence and converted the barn into the magnificent Great Hall and Brick Hall that are such features of the building today. He also laid the foundations of the present garden, including the Japanese influence.

Sir Henry and Lady Norman bought the estate in 1922. Sir Henry didn’t like the name Rams Nest so he renamed it Ramster. Lady Norman was a keen horticulturist and she introduced the now famous rhododendrons and azaleas which delight so many visitors today. The descendants of the Normans have owned the estate ever since and today it is a family business with deep historical roots. 

Rosie Glaister, great granddaughter of Sir Henry, is now the driving force and manager of the Ramster business. “It is a responsibility having to look after this wonderful house and gardens,” Rosie admits, “and it’s also a challenge when you think of all the history and tradition that have to be preserved for future generations.”

Walk into the building and you can breathe in the history of the place. Sir Henry is described as an adventurer as well as a politician. The artefacts that he collected on his travels, military and cultural, now adorn the walls in the Brick Hall and the Drawing Room. But it is the wood-beamed Long Hall which leaves the biggest impression. The ceiling is bedecked with fairy lights and on a winter’s evening, with the log fires blazing, it could be a scene from Hogwarts. “It’s one of the big attractions for the brides who have their weddings here,” said Rosie. “A winter’s wedding creates its own magical, memorable moments for the happy couples. We’re very fortunate to be able to offer such a unique setting.”

But Ramster is so much more than a historic house. The gardens are famous in their own right. Established in 1920, they now attract over ten thousand visitors a year. Ramster helped to found the National Garden Scheme to raise funds for the Queen’s Nursing Institute in 1927. “Only two of the original founding gardens still remain as supporters, Ramster and Sandringham, so we’re definitely in good company!” Rosie is rightly proud of the garden’s role in such a prestigious movement which has hundreds of gardens opening to the public every year. Ramster celebrates one hundred years of NGS membership in 2027. “Watch out for news of some special celebrations to mark this milestone.” Rosie is clearly looking forward to celebrating it with the people of Haslemere.

If the house bathes you in history, the gardens are an oasis of calm. Walk around the 25 acres and the busy world outside seems not to exist. Wander around the paths, breathe in the fresh air, relax, meditate, pray. Whatever you wish to do, the gardens will be there for you. Spring and autumn are the special times to go for the colours, but any time is good to enjoy the tranquility and beauty. 

So is everything in the garden rosy? “One word sums it up this year,” explains Rosie. "Drought." The series of heatwaves and lack of rain has had a savage effect on the garden. “We have 1500 catalogued trees in the garden and many are beginning to show signs of stress, as are many other plants. One of my ancestors had the foresight to build a reservoir on the estate and this has been used over the summer to keep the plants watered.” It’s clear that the hot, dry weather has taken its toll on the staff who look after the gardens. There is an automatic watering system in place and the reservoir can be topped up from a lake on the estate, but it is still a labour intensive job keeping the gardens watered. 

“It will only be next summer when we know which plants and trees have survived,” Rosie said. “We are suffering from global warming the same as everyone else.”

The running of the estate was passed on to Rosie by her parents 23 years ago but she had good training for assuming this responsibility. She was trained in events management and planning and has organised and managed events such as the Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Owning and running Ramster seems to sit easily on Rosie’s shoulders. She comes from a family of adventurers and she clearly has inherited the genes. 

It is the forward-thinking approach of the family for over a century that sets the estate apart. It was one of the very first private houses to be licensed to hold and officiate weddings in the 1980s when this was very rarely granted. While it is commonplace now, Ramster was able to establish itself as a significant presence as a wedding venue. With the historic house and wonderful grounds, it still retains that place as a preferred choice today. 

Rosie, like all her ancestors, believes in being very hands on in the business. If you have a drink or bite to eat in the tearoom after a good wander round the gardens, you are likely to be served by Rosie or one of her family. But Ramster, like many businesses, has to contend with rising costs of employing staff, higher insurance premiums - try insuring a wood-framed building - and fuel costs although this is mitigated by having had a biomass boiler installed that burns wood chip from the estate. 

Like most businesses in Haslemere, Rosie and the family believe in giving back to the community that supports them. Every year on the NGS open day, the proceeds go back to the Nursing Institute. Proceeds from the Christmas Fair, and open to the public, go to the Shooting Stars charity and numerous military charities are also supported by Ramster. 

But giving back also includes supporting the local economy. The wedding business supports local caterers and the primarily young people who work in it. Their events support the local hotels and cafes and bring tourists into Haslemere. 

Ramster is truly a local gem with a rich and varied history curated by a family who take their responsibilities seriously. We are lucky to be able to enjoy this unique house and gardens on our doorstep. 

Websites: Ramster Hall and Ramster Gardens

Address: Ramster Gardens, Ramster Tea House, and Ramster Hall are all located at Petworth Road, Chiddingfold, Godalming GU8 4SN

Instagram: Ramster Gardens and Ramster Wedding Venue