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
National Garden Scheme
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
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
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
Furzelea, a fantastic fusion of flora.
It is always a delight to find a garden gate open for the National Garden Scheme on a Wednesday. So on my way to pick up some items for my own garden from Lime Avenue Antiques https://limeavenueantiques.co.uk/ I called into Furzelea at Danbury near Chelmsford in Essex. As I entered the enforced one way system … Continue reading Furzelea, a fantastic fusion of flora.
38 Chapel Street, Ely
Hurrah, the National Garden Scheme has begun to open some of its gardens. The system has changed a little and I had to go the website to pre-book my ticket online beforehand, which was perfectly easy and I found a small garden in Ely. It is such a long time since I have been anywhere … Continue reading 38 Chapel Street, Ely
Something a little special in Spencer Road
Last Thursday number 7 Spencer Road, situated by Wandsworth Common in London was open for the National Garden Scheme, an evening opening beginning at 5.30pm. It so happens that I look after my grandson on a Thursday nearby so it seemed an opportunity not to miss, with the added fact of course, the young chap … Continue reading Something a little special in Spencer Road