Inspired by the eloquent voice of George Plumptre CEO of the National Garden Scheme announcing the start of the Snowdrop Festival I decided to visit East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden http://www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk who were hosting their own Snowdrop Specialist Growers Day. The owners Graham and Alan warmly welcomed us in the car park directing us to park … Continue reading Snowdrops at East Ruston Old Vicarage
A touch of wintery enthusiasm at St Timothee
On a very dreary, drippy-wet Wednesday last week I attended the first open garden event of the National Garden Scheme's year held in the delightful private garden of St Timothee, just outside Maidenhead. Garden owner Sarah welcomed us with coffee and cake, a particularly delicious slice of Orange and Almond. She then proceeded to give … Continue reading A touch of wintery enthusiasm at St Timothee
The Garden Museum
If you find yourself in London and you simply can't face the noise and swirl of shoppers and traffic then I can recommend a quiet visit to the delightful Garden Museum located south of the river in a church right next door to Lambeth Palace. The Church of St. Mary-at-Lambeth was made redundant in the … Continue reading The Garden Museum
Pehuenes in the Andes
With no garden visits planned for November I decided it was the perfect time to go and find my daughter who lives at Pino Hachado, a mountain pass on the Argentinian side of the Andes. Horses and Huskys de los Pehuenes Situated at least an hour away from any neighbour, windy and arid with not a … Continue reading Pehuenes in the Andes
Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville
The Garden Gate was open wide for the new Horatio's Garden at the spinal unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Horatio's Garden Horatio's Garden is one of the beneficiary charities of The National Garden Scheme, and several of us were privileged to be able, at the official opening last Sunday, to mingle amongst the amazing patients and … Continue reading Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville
Madingley Hall, gardens and health. (8/18)
Having spent a tedious morning on the phone to the Department of Work & Pensions, followed by a lengthy call to BT to try and sort out longstanding internet problems, I decided it was time to visit a garden and restore my equilibrium. Twitter brought my attention to the fact that Madingley Hall was opening its … Continue reading Madingley Hall, gardens and health. (8/18)
Bank House, well planted in the Fens (7/18)
The area between Downham Market and Wisbech on the edge of Norfolk is not particularly known for its gardens. Last Sunday driving through the lanes and over the dykes between the flat fertile fields of the Fens, I discovered Bank House. The familiar yellow NGS signs were helpfully posted at all the crossroads which relieved … Continue reading Bank House, well planted in the Fens (7/18)
Great Thurlow Hall, wet, wet, wet.(6/18).
Last Sunday was yet another wet, wet, wet day. Unable to work in my own garden and combined with Easter excess I decided that the only thing was to visit another garden. As I approached Great Thurlow Hall in Suffolk through a deluge of rain, signs of Spring were just visible on those manicured hedges … Continue reading Great Thurlow Hall, wet, wet, wet.(6/18).
5 Burbage Road, Herne Hill; a tiny touch of Spring.
Following the book launch of the National Garden Scheme's Gardens to Visit at the Royal Festival Hall last Thursday I decided to walk along the Thames, jump on a train at London Bridge and travel to North Dulwich. As I walked the 5 minutes down Half Moon Lane the sun came out and there was a feeling … Continue reading 5 Burbage Road, Herne Hill; a tiny touch of Spring.
Austwick Hall; sculpture and snowdrops
Staying on a short break near Settle in Yorkshire last week we found Austwick Hall perched above a pretty Dales village not far from the market town of Settle. Set in 13 acres the garden and woodland had just had its open day for the NGS during the snowdrop Festival. Close by the house the … Continue reading Austwick Hall; sculpture and snowdrops
