Category: Outing Reports

Castle Hill situated above the Bray River plain, with daffodil sprigged drive and ornamental stone bridge were built for horse and carriage rather than coach, still retains its iron estate railings from WWII demise.  The country mansion’s stateliness is enhanced by hill top trees above and below the formal terraced lawns with garden statutory, as well as the follies and ornamental plantations on the surrounding hillsides.   In full bloom camelias, magnolias and a large rhododendron grove lend warmth and soften[…]

A breezy and cold autumn morning with sun peeking through clouds as we made way for the openair dairy to cross our road.  From medieval times the gardens consisted of woodland and grassland, known as the Manor of Romsey Extra. In 1724 a farmer ‘Jarman’ is mentioned as taking land as a back yard of a house, perhaps the origin of ‘Jermyn’s House’. After being used as a smallpox hospital in the 18th century, by 1830 it had been extensively[…]

Devon, better known for its cream teas has orange elephants, a nickname for South Devon cattle, which may account for the bright orange elephant (African type) looking over a hedge with an ice cream cornet: clever advertising by an ice cream company.  Into Cornwall and crossing the Tamar by ferry with only a short drive past multicoloured Cornish stone walls and Scots pines to Antony House.    The house built in 1721 replaced previous properties securing the Lynher estuary for[…]

Tyntesfield, is one of those National Trust properties that provide an excellent day’s visit. The Victorian Gothic mansion retains the feel of a country estate with its magnificent reception rooms and (always fascinating) kitchen. It also houses an ornately decorated chapel. Extensive tree planting now provides a framework of mature trees both native and exotic. The walled garden for cut flowers, fruit and vegetables is located some distance from the mansion. With its working greenhouses, potting sheds and tool sheds[…]

Outings during 2023 have been very well attended and often oversubscribed. As you will know we were looking for one or more people to take on this role for next year, so we are pleased to report that Gordon and Vivienne Smith are volunteering time and expertise to help Sibyl and me with next year’s outings. It means we will be able to organise the usual number of visits in the summer months.  An early start from Bridport for the[…]

May, a time for making elderflower cordial, heading west, may and cow parsley dotted creamy white about the landscape, deeper into Devon a blue haze settled over woods and valleys. Taking the woodland railway gave a wider view of the park than would be possible by foot in a few hours: we rattled along with view of the orangery above formal Italian style gardens, reminiscent of ‘Babar King of the Elephants’.  Passing from sunlight to shade, very close to the[…]

Toby’s Garden Festival Lush Devon the hedgerows resplendent in leaf; coloured patchwork of seeded sand and deep red soil; florescent yellow rape in bloom.Balancing stones from Bodmin. Art, botanics, ceramics, and socks from MelplashFrench, Thai and Persian cuisine, cones of vivid colour on earthenware dishesAnyone for a cuppa:into marquees from damp weatherQueues for coffee and delicious hot chocolateSucculent cakes with succulents in icing. Farm produce, hot cheese rolls, and unusual ice creamsPacked marquees, entertaining lectures and samples to taste.Rusted metal[…]

Primroses pale under distant hedges and roadside banks, magnolia trees beginning to bloom. Bright daffodils and pasture turning emerald green, flock of blackest sheep, and trees waking up, some orange and others acid green. Tamed Somerset, county of dairies, mistletoe hung trees, lush hedged fields leading to gentle wooded ridges. Plant stalls: gentle hues of blue, white, pink and green behind which is the all-important compost zoning.  Raised beds and hard landscaping softened by spring bulbs and vegetable planting.  Rusting[…]

Montacute It is a bit of a gloomy start for our visits to Montacute and Tintinhull, but the leaves are changing colour, fluttering down, and passing through Melplash pale pink crocus are dotted along one bank.  It is a tight fit through the gates to park in what had been the walled vegetable garden, which now has brilliant orange campsis radicans clambering up the wall. The west front of the house imposing grandeur is heightened by the simplicity of deep[…]