At the foot of the North Downs, between the National Trust owned properties Clandon Park and Hatchlands Park lies the quaint village of East Clandon. Situated less than 5 miles from the busy Junction 10 of the M25 this tiny village of largely 16th and 17th century brick and timber houses boasts an active... Continue Reading →
Hammerwood House, West Sussex (NGS)
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 →
Blenheim Palace at Christmas
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is quite rightly a popular destination for garden and history lovers alike. The title of Palace is a worthy one given its splendour and pomp. The Palace, built between 1705 and 1722 is complimented by formal gardens designed by Henry Wise and a water parterre designed by Achille Duchêne. With landscaped... Continue Reading →
The Secret Gardens of Sandwich. The Salutation.
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 →
Arundel Castle Gardens
It is a common misconception that Arundel Castle is 'just a castle' with perhaps a private garden, hidden from the snooping eyes of the tourist. In fact this couldn't be further from the truth and Arundel Castle gardens should be on every garden visitor's 'bucket list'. The extensive grounds are dominated by the Hogwarts-style castle... Continue Reading →
Hall Place and Gardens, Bexley, Kent
Hall Place first came to my attention whilst searching for a garden to visit in the Sidcup area. Oddly, their website, whilst promoting all manner of family days out and a brief history of the Tudor manor house, gives no information on the garden other than the carrot of a photograph depicting curiously shaped topiary.... Continue Reading →
Lowder Mill, Haslemere
Tucked away down a quiet single track lane, Lowder Mill lies against an ambient Surrey landscape of lush fields and rhododendron woods. With the now redundant millpond forming a backdrop against the pale brick wisteria clad house, water is the main feature of this garden, flowing abundantly along streams througout the garden whilst beside the millpond,... Continue Reading →
Chilworth Manor, Surrey
Lady Heald (1904-2004), huge supporter and former Chairman of the NGS and resident at Chilworth Manor for more than 40 years used to preside over her open garden days when the genteel Surrey manor opened its garden gates to the public. Happily, the new owners of this gorgeous slice of England are following suit and... Continue Reading →
Petersham Open Gardens
How many of us must have driven along the narrow road through Petersham, Surrey enroute to Richmond and admired the stately Georgian town houses and quaint cottages, wondering what lay behind them? All was revealed on Sunday 22nd May when Petersham Village opened 12 of its private gardens to the public to raise funds for... Continue Reading →
Ulting Wick, Essex – terrific tulips and more
Ulting Wick in Essex has received its fair share of mentions in the press and on social media and has quite rightly been named by photographer Clive Nichols and The English Garden magazine as one of the top 7 must-see 'paradise' gardens in England. Philippa Burrough and husband Bryan moved into the property 20 years... Continue Reading →