reviews of British gardens and nurseries, large and small.
Gravetye Manor, on the Kent/Sussex border was built in 1598 and is a fine example of Elizabethan architecture. It was bought in 1885 by William Robinson, an early advocate of the naturalistic planting style that has since been copied in gardens across the world. During his time at Gravetye, Robinson created the sloping gardens to... Continue Reading →
Situated in the shadow of the Malvern Hills, the Old Court Nurseries and Picton Garden are a family-run treasure that have evolved over three generations. Established in 1906 by Ernest Ballard, an early breeder of Asters, the garden was taken over by Percy Picton in 1947 who managed the garden for nearly ten years before... Continue Reading →
Bridge Nursery in Napton, Warwickshire is one of those places that is frequently advertised as being open under the National Gardens Scheme and yet I never seem to have managed to visit! Until now, that is, and I am so glad that I finally made the trip. Napton is derived from the old English cnaepp meaning 'hilltop'... Continue Reading →
If you happen to live in Northamptonshire or Oxfordshire you may possibly have heard of Wappenham, but I would like to bet that not many people know of this village's existence. It's a tiny village - sadly no pub or shop but what it does have is a number of jolly nice gardens. We were... Continue Reading →
Wakehurst is a pleasingly placed botanic garden, situated only a few miles from Gatwick and easily accessible from the M23. Visiting gardens in winter usually means fewer crowds but on this bright February day there were a huge number of families and visitors enjoying the space and freedom that Wakehurst provides. Owned by the National... Continue Reading →
Thousands of crocus tommasinianus are the main reason for a February garden visit to Little Court garden in the pretty village of Crawley near Winchester in Hampshire. Owner Patricia Elkington has been opening in aid of the National Garden Scheme since 1984 and this year she will be generously welcoming visitors from February to June.... Continue Reading →
As a South East of England dweller, I'm accustomed to National Trust properties being over-run with visitors, car-parks bursting at the seams and having to wait for a table in a tea room. Not so in quieter parts of England, such as Northamptonshire. It came as something of a surprise to note that Canons Ashby... Continue Reading →
Who knew that the Surrey market town of Guildford was home to an important English Heritage Grade II Listed Garden? Well not me that's for sure. Designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe in 1956-57 to symbolise the flight of the first Sputnik, the rooftop Water Garden was built for Harvey's department store & is described by... Continue Reading →
Wollerton Old Hall near Shrewsbury, Shropshire is a 16th Century house, embellished with beams and oozing history and character. The gardens are approached via a tree-lined gravel drive which ends with a flourish in front of the Tudor house, where innumerable pots and containers are planted with exuberant colour. Wollerton Old Hall has been home... Continue Reading →
