Henry Avray Tipping was born in the Château de Ville-d'Avray near Versailles, France on 22 August 1855. As a child he moved to England and studied modern history at Christ Church, Oxford. After leaving university he worked briefly as a university lecturer before joining the staff of the Dictionary of National Biography. His main interest, however, was garden deign on which he became an authority. He was a regular contributor to Country Life magazine, wrote articles for The Garden, and was the author of books on the subject.
In addition to his writings on gardens and garden design, Tipping was the author of English Homes: Architecture from Medieval Times to the Early Part of the Nineteenth Century (3 vols, 1920–28), and wrote books on the woodwork of Grinling Gibbings, and on old English Furniture. For several years he was architectural editor of Country Life.
Tipping worked on the restoration of country houses. He designed several gardens, notably at Chequers, near the village of Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire, now the country house of British Prime Ministers. He died in Harefield, Middlesex, England on 16 November 1933.
Anderton, Stephin, 'A fine prospect'. Country Life, vol. 217, no. 35, 1 September 2021 pp. 114-117 [The garden designed by Henry Avray Tipping for Wyndcliffe Court, near Chepstow in 1922 is discussed]
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
Gerrish, Helena. 'A journey of exhilarating discovery: High Glanau Manor, Monmouth'. Country Life vol. 208, no. 25, 2014 18 June 2014 pp.86-88 [The author discusses her restoration of the house and garden of High Glanau Manor, Monmouth designed by H. Tippomg in 1923]
Gerrish, Helena. 'A diary's secret'. Country Life vol. 205, no. 41, 12 October 2011 pp. 76-79 [The author discusses the diary of H. A. Tipping]
Gerrish, Helena. Edwardian Country Life: The Story of H. Avray Tipping. London: Frances Lincoln Ltd, 2011
Haslam, Richard. 'The houses of H. Avray Tipping: 2. Mounton House and High Glanau, Gwent.' Country Life vol. 166, no. 4301, 13 December 1979 pp. 2270-2273
Longville, Tim. 'Tipping's last project. High Glanau Manor, Trelleck, Monmouthshire'. Country Life vol. 203, no. 39, 30 September 2009 pp. 48-53
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 145, 1 December 1933 p. 875
Singleton, H. G. 'Avray Tipping' vol. 182, no. 33, 18 August 1988 p. 90