On my way to London last Sunday I took the opportunity to visit St. Paul's Walden Bury, just off the A1M in Hertfordshire which was open for the National Garden Scheme https://ngs.org.uk/. Appropriately a fine statue of Charity was there to greet us at the entrance. Standing with our backs to the house on the … Continue reading St. Paul’s Walden Bury, an 18th Century landscape of Allées, Statuary and Temples
A trip to a Venetian nursery
Yesterday I popped round to my local nursery, not so much to buy plants but out of intrigue; I am in Venice and until I watched Monty Don's trip the other day I did not imagine that such a horticultural space existed in this unique city. It is terribly easy to get lost in Venice … Continue reading A trip to a Venetian nursery
A touch of Spring at Ivy Croft
It was a joy to be out visiting gardens again and on my way driving to Hay-on-Wye for a jolly weekend, I found a garden open for the National Garden Scheme just the other side of Leominster, and very conveniently for me it was open on the Thursday. You do not need to be a … Continue reading A touch of Spring at Ivy Croft
The Royal Trinity Hospice
Hospice gardens do not immediately spring to mind as 'must go to visit attraction'. However while on child care duties in south London last weekend I took the opportunity to visit The Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham Common which kindly opened its gates to the public in aid of the National Garden Scheme. The Hospice, with … Continue reading The Royal Trinity Hospice
Beguiling Burghley
Set within a large delightful park designed by Capability Brown, there is much for a visitor to do at Burghley in normal times: https://www.burghley.co.uk/about-us . Many will know the landscape from enjoying walks around the park, or a visit to the Sculpture Garden and the Garden of Surprises, and many will know Burghley from the … Continue reading Beguiling Burghley
Snowdrops
Through all these cheerless covid months and ghastly weather, the snowdrops have been silently pushing up through the cold, sodden ground. Their delicate flowers, surely could not be more welcome. Restrictions have forced the abandonment of the National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival however, some gates of a smattering of gardens will be open across the … Continue reading Snowdrops
Thralling Thenford
Last month I was delighted to be able to visit Thenford, Northamptonshire on one of its open days. A very private and expansive garden it is the stately home of Lord and Lady Heseltine who acquired it in 1976. As we swept through the imposing gates we had no idea what to expect, other than … Continue reading Thralling Thenford
Charismatic Kiftsgate Court
Kiftsgate is a garden that has been on my list for some years, and, staying in Oxfordshire recently we chanced the weather and caught one of the last days of opening for the year. Many of you may already know this famous garden and if you don't I encourage you to look at its very … Continue reading Charismatic Kiftsgate Court
The Sculpture Park at the Sainsbury Centre
The other evening I was invited through an alternative Garden Gate, to a special tour of the Sculptures sited around the large campus of the University of East Anglia. Situated in a landscape of some 350 acres, a large lake and the river Yare, this is remarkably, an unknown delight, except maybe to those who … Continue reading The Sculpture Park at the Sainsbury Centre
Paget House, an inspired modern design, near Saxmundham, Suffolk
Last Saturday I combined calling in on my cousin with a visit to an intriguing garden open for the National Garden Scheme. Entrance was by slipping through the back gate into an informal area, and for a moment I wondered if I had come the right way. The plan eased my mind and was a … Continue reading Paget House, an inspired modern design, near Saxmundham, Suffolk
The Garden Gate is Open 