If you want to see a typical English country garden then visit Coton Manor in Northamptonshire. The garden covers 10 acres on a hillside location extending down from a 17th century manor house built in mellow Northamptonshire stone.
I went on a visit there yesterday with a friend as it only takes about half an hour to get there from where we live.We struck lucky with the weather - it was a gloriously sunny day - I know - a rare occasion - just right for strolling round the gardens, woodland and meadows.
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| formal garden |
The reason I like this garden is that it is do-able - you can translate areas of the garden into something you can achieve in your own garden.
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| Stableyard cafe |
There is a stableyard cafe which services delicious lunches and afternoon teas - with a resident parrot who you can have a good chat with, and where there are plenty of plants for sale.
There is a beautiful three acre wildflower meadow which was full of ox eye daisies, clover, vetch and wild carrot.
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| wildflower meadow |
The herbaceous borders are beautifully managed - not a weed in sight- and the lady of the manor in amongst the plants doing her bit - one or two gardeners and a handful of volunteers really keeping the whole place immaculate.
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| herbaceous borders |
One of the features of the garden is lots of water - little runnels running all through it, with ponds and small areas of water for ducks and their ducklets.
In May the 10 acre bluebell wood is stunning sight - I visited it in May last year and it took my breath away.
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| bluebell wood |
After a pretty hot wander round we sat in the courtyard and had tea and warm scones with apricot jam and clotted cream. Heaven. It really is worth a visit if you like a garden that isn't too grand but will give you plenty of ideas to go home with. All in all a lovely day out.
Oh how I wish that Bluebell wood was 'Do-able'...sigh. Looks like my kinda place and all the better when the weather behaves. Did you manage to leave without any purchases? x
ReplyDeleteNo I didn't manage to get away without buying anything - 3 scented geraniums and a nepeta - to replace ones I lost overwinter - well that's my excuse anyway.
ReplyDeleteDear Elaine, thanks for the lovely photos.My husband and 2 boys and I lived in Byefield just a little south of Northampt and simply adored the countryside all around us. I joined the villages W.I. and met so many wonderful ladies. I miss England and our friends so much. We also had the blessing of living in Dublin for 2 years and loved the Irish too. Nothing beats an English summer!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Anne - I can't find a link to your blog - would you let me know the name of your site - it sounds like you enjoyed living in England - where are you now?
DeleteIt looks such a beautiful garden Elaine, and not too formal either.One of my favourite gardens in Yorkshire is York Gate at Adel in Leeds.It is so beautiful too but unlike the garden you visited there is no tea room sadly, I consider that a must whenever I go to visit a garden!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very friendly garden if you know what I mean - and I agree tea rooms are a must.
DeleteWhat a lovely garden. I adore visits to inspiring gardens and getting a glimpse of Coton Manor was a real treat.
ReplyDeleteWell worth a visit if you ever over here Kelli
Deletebeautiful..I am a new follower.....
ReplyDeleteMona
Hi Mona - thanks for following
DeleteThat looks, and sounds, like a perfect day out. It's somewhere I've not visited so it's gone on the (long) list. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you would enjoy it if you ever get round to it.
ReplyDeleteAdore the bluebells. Tried for years to get the English bluebells to naturalize on the edge of the woods - no success! Switched to Spanish bluebells and they are happier in our climate - same glorious effect!
ReplyDeleteI love walking through bluebell woods - I think I've died and gone to heaven - this particular wood is a beech wood and the light green leaves contrasting with the pale bluebells it glorious. I have spanish bluebells in my garden I have been digging bulbs out by the bucketful as they are terribly invasive, but every year they come back as strong as ever
DeleteJust makes you sigh... such interesting little nooks to explore and swaths of colour and sounds of water. Delightful.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a delightful garden - with something for everyone
DeleteHow wonderful Elaine. Such a beautiful place to visit. I am so jealous of all of your old gardens and historical spots there. I would love to come over for a visit one day to take in some of the beautiful gardens. I would think I had went to heaven. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou are right Lorna - there are some beautiful old gardens but it would take you quite a while to get round them all. You need to come for a couple of years at least.
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