Alan Titchmarsh has opened up about the significant life changes he’s undertaking as he approaches his late seventies. Known for his long tenure as the host of Gardeners' World, Alan recently listed his four-acre Grade II-listed manor house, Manor Farm House in Holybourne, Hampshire, for £3.95 million. Having owned the Georgian property since 2002, he has decided it’s time to downsize and face “a new challenge.”
In a candid interview with BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, the 76-year-old gardener explained that while the decision to leave a home filled with “heart and soul” was bittersweet, he recognizes the importance of planning for a future that remains vibrant and fulfilling. “When you are knocking on a bit (which I refuse to believe), you do muse on the future,” Alan said.
Despite frequent questions about retirement, Alan emphasized that he isn’t stepping away from gardening or life’s pursuits but is instead consolidating his commitments. Managing four acres and a historic home has been “a treat beyond measure,” but he wants to transition before it becomes overwhelming.
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Alan and his wife Alison have found a new residence that contrasts sharply with their previous home. Their new garden spans a more manageable acre and a half, featuring acidic soil—a rare opportunity for Alan to cultivate rhododendrons again, a joy he has not experienced since he was 20.
While embracing this fresh gardening adventure, Alan has also expressed a strong opinion on a certain plant. On his YouTube channel, Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh, he humorously warned against ornamental kale (purple kale), calling it “a bit of a weirdo” and advising gardeners to keep it away from his own space.
As Alan embarks on this new chapter, his passion for plants and the garden remains as vibrant as ever, proving that age is no barrier to fresh challenges and personal growth.