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
Towering above the landscape
On the edge of Castle Acre village in West Norfolk stands a rusty old water tower. Apparently a Braithwaite type (the name refers to the manufacturer), it was originally constructed for nearby RAF Massingham during WWII, and afterwards recycled and moved to Castle Acre where it was decommissioned in the early 90s. Left to stand … Continue reading Towering above the landscape
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
The Garden Gate is Open at Tudor Lodgings.
There are an incredible 340 gardens open for the National Garden Scheme during August. Sadly I have been unable to visit any so far partly because I am busy with my own garden being one of the 340, added to which my 'under-gardener' had an unfortunate accident resulting in him being confined to crutches and … Continue reading The Garden Gate is Open at Tudor Lodgings.
Batteleys Cottage; ponds, paths and plenty of places to sit.
It is a glorious time of year for garden visiting, however I fear many of us this afternoon will be staying at home to watch the Wimbledon finals. So I am going to take you around Batteleys Cottage Garden which I very much enjoyed last Sunday when it was open for the National Garden Scheme. … Continue reading Batteleys Cottage; ponds, paths and plenty of places to sit.
The Stuart-Smith trilogy
Thursday 13th June was an exceedingly wet day. This neither deterred nor detracted from a delightful day tour of three gardens in the village of Bedmond in Hertfordshire, owned by various members of the Stuart-Smith family and organised by James Bolton of Border Lines http://border-lines.co.uk/ We began the day at The Barn, Serge Hill, the … Continue reading The Stuart-Smith trilogy
Parham, photography and flowers
A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a day at Parham House in West Sussex https://www.parhaminsussex.co.uk/plan-your-visit/. Looking at the garden through the lens of a camera I attended a two day course, sadly shortened to one and run by the Artist in residence the celebrated photographer Elizabeth Zeschin https://www.zeschin.com/. Photo taken from Parham House website … Continue reading Parham, photography and flowers
Why run a marathon when you can visit a garden?
Last Sunday the sun came out, the sky was blue, and it was a perfect day for the Halstead Marathon in Essex. No, no don't be silly I wasn't the runner, that was my daughter. I would rather visit a garden any day so I waved her off at the start and nipped off to … Continue reading Why run a marathon when you can visit a garden?
Grapes Hill Community Garden, Norwich.
I just cannot imagine life without access to a garden. According to the Kings Fund Report (May 2016) 87% of households in the UK have a garden and in a typical city, one quarter comprises private gardens which make up half its green space. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/field_publication_file/Gardens_and_health.pdf I am not sure whether Norwich is in the category … Continue reading Grapes Hill Community Garden, Norwich.
The Garden Gate is Open 