reviews of British gardens and nurseries, large and small.
The most wonderful and unique garden awaits in Oxfordshire, as long as you are not looking for a tea room, 'visitor experience', or adventure playground! Rousham, built in 1635 by Sir Robert Dormer sits squarely within its garden and grounds, designed by William Kent (an early pioneer of 'The New English Style' of landscaping) in... Continue Reading →
What's not to like about a garden visit that includes a stately home with resident family, a Capability Brown landscape and glorious gardens? Bowood, near Calne in Wiltshire ticks all these boxes in spades with the added bonus of a tour around the private walled garden belonging to the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. Wide... Continue Reading →
With gardens re-opening across England in recent weeks I have wasted no time in searching out new places to visit and the month of June has been one of discovery. The front of Lower House, Bowlhead Green The National Gardens Scheme gives visitors unique access to private gardens across England and Wales and all monies... Continue Reading →
"The best example of formal terraced gardens in Scotland" is a somewhat lofty claim. But honestly, when I arrived at dawn on a very cold and frosty morning last week I was in total agreement as I quite literally almost wept for joy at seeing the expansive gardens and topiary laid out before me, as... Continue Reading →
Described as 'Worcestershire's hidden garden', Bodenham Arboretum, near Kidderminster is a great day out for anyone wishing to walk in delightful surroundings. The site spans 134 acres and is set in a natural bowl shaped valley with a number of lakes and pools fed by ground springs. There are over 3000 species of trees around... Continue Reading →
Autumn is the most wonderful time to visit an arboretum and Thorp Perrow near Bedale in Yorkshire is truly one of the most lovely. The estate is privately owned by the Ropner family whose ancestor, Sir William Ropner purchased the estate in 1927. Each generation of Ropners have made their mark at Thorp Perrow. Currently... Continue Reading →
A mellow Cotswold stone house sitting handsomely in surrounding parkland is most likely to be high on many people's list of 'dream house & garden' combinations. Situated near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, the garden at Rockcliffe is open only once or twice a year and is well worth a visit. The grassy steps leading up to... Continue Reading →
Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens are open on Wednesdays and Thursdays which is not much good if one works full time! Luckily the gardens are also open under the National Gardens Scheme once a year and we were lucky enough to be in the area at the right time this year. The Queen Anne house... Continue Reading →
Searching for a garden to visit in the Sussex Weald last weekend, we noticed in the NGS yellow book (have you got your copy yet?) that Hammerwood House, near Midhurst was open. The bucolic approach to the property took in rolling hills and tiny narrow lanes dotted with picturesque cottages. The house lies on... Continue Reading →
The Salutation in Sandwich, Kent is probably best known as being the former home to Steph and Dom of 'Gogglebox' fame. However it is also home to the most marvellous garden, the bones of which were laid out by Gertrude Jekyll to compliment the Edwin Lutyens house, built between 1911-1912. The gardens, which are open... Continue Reading →
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