Time to get out and see the roses! by Vivienne Lewis
GARDENS TO VISIT IN THE COTSWOLDS
Everything is bursting open in the gardens around the Cotswolds this month, and here is a selection of the best to visit.
We do our best to ensure that details are correct at time of going to press, but we advise readers to check before making a journey. Gardens open for the National Gardens Scheme can be seen on their website:
www.ngs.org.uk
Hunts Court
June, roses … and Hunts Court. Set against the tree-clad Cotswold Hills at North Nibley near Wotton-under-Edge, the garden is crammed with 450 varieties of old roses that are at their best this month.
Roses are everywhere, in the borders and scrambling across trellis work, set among informal grassed paths. This garden of two and half acres has other plants that complement the roses: penstemons, foxgloves and other perennials.
The drive towards Hunts Court, which has its own nursery, is delightfully scenic, and on NGS open days you will be rewarded with good home made teas.
There is also a collection of hardy geraniums, some unusual shrubs and a small arboretum is being established. The peaceful garden has its own nursery adjacent, where you can buy many of the varieties of plants you have seen.
The house (not open) is the possible birthplace of William Tynedale, the translator of the Bible into English, and who was martyred in 1536. The Tynedale monument is not far away.
Location: Hunts Court, North Nibley, Glouc. GL11 6DZ. Two miles north west of Wotton-under-Edge. From Wotton, taking the B4060 Dursley road turn right into North Nibley at the Black Horse, taking the left fork after a quarter of a mile.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 12.30pm & 1.45pm – 5pm. Closed August. For NGS: Sundays 13th & 20th June; 5th & 12th September (2pm – 6pm).
Admission: £3.50, children free. No dogs. Home made teas and plants for sale.
Rockcliffe
The epitome of a traditional English garden, Rockcliffe is tranquil and elegant. Its eight acres include pink, white and blue gardens, large herbaceous borders, a rose terrace and topiary leading to a stone dovecote.
The house was built in the late 19th century for the dowagers of Eyford Park and is set in glorious unspoilt countryside but enclosed by mature parkland trees.
Old stone slabs wind down past the long herbaceous borders planted in gently muted pastel shades. There is a stunning group of Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ making a canopy over a circular stone-edged pool, dripping with the white blossom, the branches almost covering the pool.
The walled kitchen garden is productive, likewise the greenhouses and the orchard. The other side of the kitchen garden is where the topiary is to be found, birds of yew perching pairs on a slope leading to the octagonal stone dovecote.
Location: Rockcliffe, near Lower Swell, Glouc. GL54 2JW. Two miles south west of Stow-on-the-Wold. One and half miles from Lower Swell, on the B4068. From Stow-on-the- Wold to Cheltenham, go through Lower Swell, climb the hill staying on the B4068. There is a converted barn on the left, go round the corner and start to go downhill. Rockcliffe is halfway down on the right.
Open: Wednesday 23rd June, 10am – 6pm.
ADBLK123_02 Ilminster 170x25:ADBLK123_02 Ilminster 170x25 19/02/2010 16:02 Page 1 Hunts Court - the garden is crammed with 450 varieties of old roses
Admission: £4.50, children free. Share to Kates Home Nursing. No dogs. Home made teas.
Odd, but not everyone knows we do home insurance
We do. Call 01460 57901 for a quote or pop into the office to talk to Angela Joy at NFU Mutual Office, Park View, Eaglewood Park, Ilminster TA19 9DQ
Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited. Country Gardener We do right by you 15
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