Easton Walled Garden near Grantham is open for free on Sundays through November and today they had a Christmas Craft Fair so we had a wander round in the sunshine. We certainly intend to go back. What a beautiful place!
The garden is 400 years old. Until 1951 there was a large house to go with it but the house was used by the armed forces during the war and suffered severe damage apparently. It seems such a shame ...
Surely a building like that could have been saved!
Well too late now! They demolished it!
The steps and a bridge over the river survived; the stable block was also salvaged because the demolition equipment broke down!
If you look carefully at the photo on the left above you will see two well cut hedges - these became the yew tree avenue/tunnel pictured in the final photograph of this post.
After 1951 the estate was abandoned for fifty years: the garden was neglected and nature took over.
Until 2001 when the family decided to save it.
They now have a thriving kitchen garden providing food for the cafe and inspiration for visitors.
Why can't I make my allotment look like this?
Next year perhaps!
There are rose gardens on either side of this yew tree avenue but they were a bit bare looking today.
You could get a real sense of history wandering up here though ... it was easy to imagine an Elizabeth Bennett travelling through those gates in a carriage.
Snowdrop Week is 16th - 24th February 2013.
Marked in my diary already.
Marvellous to see garden visit pictures in November! And what a tidy garden, thanks for pictures. I can also see in my eyes Elisabeth on her way : )
ReplyDeleteHi Pivi,
DeleteThe sun was shining so it didn't feel like November. It's a lovely place.
I follow Easton Walled Gardens on twitter, so it was nice to see some pics of the place to get a better feel for what they do. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe will be going back to see the garden in full bloom ... worth a visit if you are in the area.
DeleteNow that's a proper garden. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
DeleteWe had a good day and I felt inspired to get back to my allotment - then the rain came back and I changed my mind!! Hopeless!
Ah, the kitchen garden looks even nice and tidy in November. Your country has so many and many beautiful gardens. I visited already lots of them, but it is a never ending story, gardens come and go and we shall never be able to see them all.
ReplyDeleteYes - we have lots of beautiful gardens in England: quite a few are owned by the National Trust or English Heritage so it makes membership of those associations very well worth while.
DeleteNow THAT'S a kitchen garden... If only!!
ReplyDeleteWell, the speed you are working you will be charging entry for your garden very soon!!
DeleteWonderful garden and architecture. Amazing what can be achieved after 50 years of neglect.
ReplyDeleteYes, it just takes a bit of work and dedication ... I can only dream!!!
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