DORSET
Chideock woodlands are a
springtime delight
by Vivienne Lewis
GARDENS
TO VISIT IN
DORSET
Time to get out and about again! There are lots of gardens
to see in the county in early spring, ranging from the grand
to the small, the rural to the town garden. Here are a few to
whet your appetite.
Chideock Manor’s Lady Garden
Structure is provided by the yew hedges and mature trees,
the lime walk, wide paths and lawns, the lily pond with its
fountain, and the formal parterre. The walled vegetable garden
and orchard will be showing signs of the promise to come, as
Chideock Manor
do the rose and clematis arches, and the herbaceous borders.
Once the ancient home of the Arundells, this beautiful manor
The owners, Mr. and Mrs Howard Coates have lived here since
house has fine views and formal garden areas in keeping
1996 and much of the present garden is their creation. On
with its medieval past – and in contrast, great swathes
27th June the Dorset Gardens Trust will be having their annual
of naturalistic plantings blending with the surrounding
get-together in the grounds of Chideock Manor.
countryside.
Location: Chideock Manor, Chideock, nr. Bridport, Dorset. DT6
At this time of year the woodland and lakeside walks must
6LF. 2 miles W of Bridport on the A35. In the centre of the
be a favourite with visitors, seeing the emerging foliage and
village turn N at the church, and the Manor is ¼ mile along
colours. Find the bog garden beside the stream.
the road on the right.
Parts of the woodland are to be changed, with some felling of
Open: Sun 4th and Monday 5th April, 2pm – 5pm. Admission:
the trees to make shade gardens, perhaps influenced by the
£4, children free. Refreshments and home-made teas. No dogs.
famous ‘Garden in the Wood’ created at Knightshayes in Devon.
Website: www.ngs.org.uk
Uploders Place
This is quite a new garden, created from 1993 in what was
a wilderness. The old yews, Cedar of Lebanon and a tulip
tree formed the bones on which to build a garden that is
particularly lovely in spring and early summer, with spring
bulbs, camellias and rhododendrons,
Trees and shrubs were chosen for their unusual barks and
flowers. There is a quiet corner with the River Asker flowing
through it, just the place for a time of reflection and
contemplation. Owned by Mrs. Venetia Ross Skinner, the
garden was opened for the NGS for the first time last year.
Wheelchair access is not easy, with some steep paths to
negotiate, and the owner asks that if a wheelchair user wishes
to visit the garden, a phone call is made beforehand.
Chideock Manor fine views and formal garden areas in keeping with its
medieval past
Location: Uploders Place, Uploders, Bridport, Dorset
16
Country Gardener
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