T'was the week before Christmas I’d finished the year Ninety great gardens so far and so near The stockings were hung on the gateposts with care In the hope that the NGS raised such good fare All gardeners now were so snug in their beds With visions of plum trees that danced in their heads … Continue reading T’was the week before Christmas. (*****)
Stoke Mandeville, Horatio’s Garden. (90)
For The Ninetieth garden I was invited to see a very special garden at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. The day of the visit, last Monday the sky was a dull grey and there had been heavy snow the previous day. The Hospital is famous for its National Spinal Injuries Centre, one of the largest specialist … Continue reading Stoke Mandeville, Horatio’s Garden. (90)
The Manor House, Bledlow; sculpture and setting (89)
Back in May we stayed with friends in North Buckinghamshire and they suggested we might visit Bledlow Manor, the home of Lord Carrington. A beautiful drive through the Chilterns brought us to this lovely estate and we were able to park under the line of flowering chestnut trees. The house had been in the family … Continue reading The Manor House, Bledlow; sculpture and setting (89)
42 Falconer Road, all a twinkle in Bushey. (88)
When I began my Ninety Garden Adventure back in January, I did not imagine that there would still be gardens opening in November. The entry in Gardens to View appeared encouraging if not a little intriguing especially with the opening time advertised as 4pm. I could not resist a visit on my circuitous route to London. The … Continue reading 42 Falconer Road, all a twinkle in Bushey. (88)
Lakeside House, a welcome and watery restoration. (87)
The calendar of garden visiting is on pause now, and with the skiing season fast approaching one of the gardens I look back at with fondness, is the extraordinary garden at Brundall, once known as 'The Switzerland of Norfolk'. The garden was created in 1880 by a Dr Beverley who, along with planting an arboretum, … Continue reading Lakeside House, a welcome and watery restoration. (87)
Ramster, open for 90 glorious years. (86)
I cannot draw to the end of my 'ninety' without including the historic rambling wooded gardens of Ramster in Surrey. It was one of the original 609 gardens that opened for the NGS back in 1927 and has opened every successive year since. It is the only other garden along with Sandringham to hold such … Continue reading Ramster, open for 90 glorious years. (86)
Timber Hill, an autumnal flush of camellias and fungi.(85)
October 15th was a glorious sunny Sunday and I was among several visitors who enjoyed an NGS open day at Timber Hill near Chobham in Surrey. Stepping through beautiful Autumn crocus Colchicum speciousus 'Conqueror' it is hard to believe that something of such beauty can be quite so poisonous. Looking from the terrace of the house where … Continue reading Timber Hill, an autumnal flush of camellias and fungi.(85)
Great Comp Garden, follies fun and salvias. (84)
Great Comp is near Sevenoaks in Kent. The seven acre garden was developed by Eric and Joyce Cameron who purchased the house back in 1957 and first opened for the NGS in 1968. Now it is managed by a Trust, with the Curator William Dyson and a team of gardeners and volunteers. Dyson has been … Continue reading Great Comp Garden, follies fun and salvias. (84)
Askham Hall, artful acres of abundance. (83)
Last month following a visit to Larch Cottage Nursery in Cumbria (blog 79) we decided to visit the grade II listed gardens of nearby Askham Hall on the Lowther estate. You enter the garden through the homely cafe situated in the converted Barn; it is always a good idea to begin a garden visit with … Continue reading Askham Hall, artful acres of abundance. (83)
35 Digswell Road, autumnal joy (82)
It is the end of October and the glorious season for garden visiting is not quite over yet. Last Sunday a town garden in Digswell Road on the edge of Welwyn Garden City to the north of London was just one of eight gardens open nationally for the NGS. Ferns and grasses edged the path … Continue reading 35 Digswell Road, autumnal joy (82)
