Garden Visits 2010

A SUMMARY OF THE FRIENDS OF THE HOLBURNE GARDEN VISITS 2010

This year’s garden visits have been well attended with a wide variety of garden sizes and styles to suit all tastes. The season started with long overdue return visits to Shute House and Cerney House in Dorset, where the former’s justly famous rill and romantic atmosphere did not disappoint. Other particular highlights have been Barnsely House, with its magical laburnum and wisteria walk; Lady Farm, whose prairie garden, lake and display of trees were much-admired; and the stunning combination of Perpergym Lodge and High Glanau Manor in Monmouthshire. At High Glanau we were given a guided tour by the owner, Helena Gerrish, who has lovingly restored the house and garden originally designed and lived in by former Country Life editor and architectural historian, Avery Tipping. The setting was breathtaking, the floral displays superb and the house a very fine example of the period and of Tipping’s love of the Arts and Crafts movement. As the weather was warm we enjoyed tea, scones and cakes on the terrace overlooking the Brecon Beacons.

Our visit to the Hampton Court Flower Show proved a success, but the most popular event this year has been the new scheme ‘Lunch and Garden’, when we enjoyed a gourmet lunch in a hotel with an historic garden. Our first venture was to Whatley Manor, where a delicious meal was followed by a guided tour of the charming gardens with the head gardener, whose talk was lively as well as instructive. We learned how to take successful lavender cuttings and how to achieve year-round colour and interest in the garden. This event will certainly be repeated next year with Ston Easton Park, a Palladian mansion with a delightful garden, and Thornbury Castle, with its Tudor setting, being strong contenders.