Richard E. Grant’s garden in Richmond, London, is a curated extension of his acting career, filled with props and set pieces salvaged from his film roles. The space, previously a private haven for entertaining fellow actors, has been revealed as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s new podcast, Roots.
Among the most striking features is the proscenium arch from Emerald Fennell’s 2023 film, Saltburn. Grant recounted attempting to acquire the arch after filming wrapped. “At the conclude of the film…there was a big outdoor party scene for Barry Keoghan’s character’s birthday and I said, ‘Could I possibly buy that?’” Initially, the production department intended to discard the structure due to storage costs, but ultimately granted Grant permission to take it for free.
Adjacent to the Saltburn arch stands a two-foot tall sculpture of Barbra Streisand, commissioned by Grant himself. A long-time admirer of the singer and actress, he presented photographs of the sculpture to Streisand during a party. According to Grant, she responded with amusement, calling it “crazy” but acknowledging its “very accurate representation.”
Grant also secured faux marble columns from the 2022 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, where they formed part of a grand Somerset estate. He “snaffled” them, as he put it, at the conclusion of filming.
Unexpectedly, Grant’s garden also features props from Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator II, despite not appearing in the film himself. He discovered the plinths “on a skip” at Shepperton Studios and claimed them, stating, “Sadly, I wasn’t in Gladiator, but I have the two Gladiator plinths outside my house. I don’t care.”
The garden is equipped for entertaining, boasting a bespoke pergola constructed with the help of four carpenters from Gloucestershire, who were compensated with meals and lodging. Grant described it as “really good for dancing and feeding people in.” He frequently hosts gatherings, with guests including Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Catherine O’Hara, often lasting until 5 a.m. Due to the lack of nearby neighbors.
Christmas decorations remain on display year-round, consisting of silver baubles acquired after being discarded by a perfumery brand following the holiday season. Grant was permitted to take the decorations without charge.
A cherry tree in the garden holds a poignant significance, as Grant’s late wife, Joan Washington, requested her ashes be buried beneath it. However, he has yet to fulfill her wish, explaining that the physical presence of her ashes in their container remains too difficult to relinquish. Washington died of lung cancer in 2021, according to reports.
Grant’s daughter, Olivia, and her husband currently reside with him, having moved in during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a grandchild expected in June, Grant anticipates the addition of a slide and trampoline to the garden, marking a new phase in its evolution.
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