Bodnant Garden is famous for its laburnum arch which should be coming into full fruition any time now, although the cold weather has delayed the development of the flowers this year. So it is appropriate that I share some photos of the arch and the garden from my visit in 2010.
Marvel at plants from all over the world grown from seed and cuttings collected over a century ago on plant-hunting expeditions. Created by five generations of one family, this 32-hectare (80-acre) garden is superbly located, with spectacular views across Snowdonia.
With expansive lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds and impressive terraces, a steep wooded valley and stream, as well as awe-inspiring plant collections, there are continually changing glorious displays of colour.
Paths throughout Bodnant Garden allow visitors to explore, discover and delight in its beauty – enjoy the clean, fresh fragrances of nature.
Tags: Bodnant Garden, Laburnum Arch, National Trust
You enter the garden by a bridge over the Curl Brook and meet the Stone Tower where water is raised from the stream by an antique water wheel supplying the water which spouts from the gargoyles at the top. It is also home to a flock of white doves.
The Bog Garden
Entering the main part of the garden over the Mill Pool you come to the Bog Garden, rich in water-loving plants. Paths cross the bog allowing a good view of individual plants. From the Bog Garden you may wander in any of several directions.
The Big Pond
Behind the giant cornus hedge that provides a screen at the back of the Bog Garden you come to the Big Pond flanked by massed groups of moisture-loving plants large and small. On one side are mainly giant irises and rushes, while on the other side you walk between the pond and the leat, the channel which feeds the mill, in the midst of exuberantly colourful primulas, hemerocallis, ligularia and other water-lovers.
The Cairn Garden
The rose Rambling Rector and wisteria festoon a pergola that separates the Cairn Garden from the Big Pond. In the Cairn Garden, boardwalks take you over a maze of small channels and luxuriant growth. A fountain bubbles from the cairn at the centre.
The Wild Flower Meadow
From the Cairn Garden you cross bridges over the new planting of the Cut and reach the Canal at the edge of the Wild Flower Meadow.
Follow a stream-side walk bordered by young trees and shrubs, then cross the Meadow to climb to the top of the Spiral Mound and feel like the king of the castle!
The Rill and the `Monet’ Bridge
Returning to the main part of the garden, you can cross the leat through a `tunnel’ under giant leaves of gunnera to reach the Lily Pond and the blue `Monet’ Bridge.
Meander along the Rill with its massed primulas backed by the Giant Cuckoo Clock in its mound of evergreens. On your right is the Orchard Spinney underplanted with a variety of shade-loving groundcover plants and shrubs.
Tags: Herefordshire, Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, Westonbury Water Gardens
Enchanted wooded parkland, sweeping gardens and a house with a surprise, Dudmaston is something unexpected in the Shropshire countryside. A much loved home for over 875 years you will find the family rooms scattered with photos and perhaps an odd pair of shoes or two peeping out from under a table. The unexpected galleries create a total contrast, with their formal, crisp lines. They were designed by the last owner, Rachel, Lady Labouchere, to house her and her husband’s differing modern and traditional collections of art for the visitor to peruse.
The gardens provide amazing vistas and tranquillity while the orchard is the perfect place to relax and for the children to let off steam. For more stunning views and getting up close to nature head to Big Pool and Dingle woods, while the wider estate provides extensive walking routes for year round enjoyment.
Tags: Dudmaston Estate, Dudmaston Hall, Shropshire
Whilst reading about the artist Bob Murray I was reminded of my visit to The Museum of Steel Sculpture in 2012. The sculptures were dotted around a 10 acre woodland site in Coalbrookdale. On arrival we were greeted by Pam, the co-founder of the museum as we gave her the nominal museum entrance fee. The sculptures seemed to work in their woodland setting, with sunlight dappling through the trees and the larger sculptures dominating the grassy areas. As we were about to leave Pam came out of her house to talk to us and ask if we had enjoyed our visit.
Founded in 1991 by the sculptor, Roy Kitchin FRBS, the Ironbridge Open Air Museum of Steel Sculpture occupies a 10 acre site situated within the historically appropriate district of Coalbrookdale, England. This extraordinary region, known as “the cradle of the Industrial Revolution”, was designated by UNESCO a “World Heritage Site” in 1986.
The Museum is barely half a mile from the remains of the Blast Furnace where, in 1709, Abraham Darby I successfully smelted iron using coke as the fuel instead of charcoal. Here too, in 1779, the world’s first iron bridge was cast, which still spans the River Severn today.
Registered as a Charitable Trust the Museum, since the death of it’s Founder in 1997, has been managed by his widow and co-founder, the sculptor Pam Brown, supported by an experienced Board of Trustees.
Pam wound up the museum during 2014 so that she could concentrate more on her own work. The sculptures have been moved to a new home at the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry. I wonder if they will work as well in their new setting.
Tags: Coalbrookdale, Ironbridge, Museum of Steel Sculpture, Oswestry, Pam Brown, Roy Kitchin, Sculpture
…from Arley Arboretum
Arley Station
Out in the leafy Worcestershire countryside, Arley is a lovely place for picnic, either the station, where there are a number of excellent spots, or by the river which is just 200 metres down the lane. A footbridge will take you over the river to the village and, after a short walk, you will arrive at Arley Arboretum.
Arley Arboretum
These beautiful historic gardens and arboretum dating back to the late 1700’s are surrounded by over 1600 acres of countryside within the picturesque village of Upper Arley beside the river Severn. In addition to providing wonderful walks through the grounds there are walks along the banks of the river, all set in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside with far reaching views.
Go back in time and watch the Severn Valley Railway trains steam across the hill from one of the magnificent signposted walks.
Tags: Arley Arboretum, The Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire
Sugnall Walled Garden has been painstakingly restored by the owners of Sugnall Hall, the Jacques family.
It is now back to its former splendour as a four quadrant, two acre walled garden.
Walled gardens are a uniquely English concept and were built to grow fruit and vegetables; the high walls created a warmer micro-climate, which extended the growing season.
Today, although only two quadrants (and the perimeter of the walled garden) are productive, in which a variety of crops are planted all year round, including 50 varieties of pear and 100 varieties of apples.
The other two quadrants consist of one that is laid to lawn and hard standing, just outside the beautiful tearoom, and the other than since 2012 houses the Summer Marquee from April to October.
The high garden wall that completely surrounds the garden dates back to 1738 and consists of around a quarter of a million red Staffordshire bricks.
Tags: Garden, Staffordshire, Sugnall Walled Garden, Sugnall Walled Garden & Tea Room
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
Psalm 119: 105
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Light, Lincoln, The Old Palace Hotel, Weekend away
