Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on April 07, 2013, 01:21:50 AM
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G'day y'all
Will and I are staying in Prague after the conference and are then travelling to the UK on May 13.
We're trying to short-list the gardens we can visit in the space of 9 days in England.
We're booked into a guest house in Hasting for the first 3 days and will try to get to Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and Dungeness - any suggestions for other places of interest while we are in the area?
We'll then drive across to see Iford Manor - suggestions on where to stay and what else to do?
We fly out of Birmingham on May 22 for Dublin and plan to get to the Burren and then visit a few Forumists while we are in the neighbourhood ;D
Suggestions about where to stay near the Burren would be appreciated,
cheers
fermi
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There is Cothay Manor and Hestercombe resonably easy from Bath. Up country from there and probably 1.5 - 2 hrs from Bath are Hidcote and Kiftsgate over the road from each other so easy in one day, there is all Sezincote and Mill Dean Gardens in that area.
I think Nymans is near Hastings but I dont know that area at all. Also Arundel Castle has had a new garden built in recent years, quie exotic looking but I havent seen it in real life
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Suggestions about where to stay near the Burren would be appreciated,
Fermi, I'd suggest using Ballyvaughan (various hotel/B+B options) as a base if you have a car. A lovely time for the Burren. Have a good trip.
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I think Nymans is near Hastings but I dont know that area at all. Also Arundel Castle has had a new garden built in recent years, quie exotic looking but I havent seen it in real life
In addition to Nymans; High Beeches, Borde Hill & Wakehurst Place (the southern branch of Kew). All quite close to each other & an easy drive from Hastings.
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Wish you well in Hastings Fermi, I went once and it was closed or at least it appeared to be :P
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Wish you well in Hastings Fermi, I went once and it was closed or at least it appeared to be :P
I think they had trouble there with visitors in the past, David- it's likely made them over cautious.......
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I think they had trouble there with visitors in the past, David- it's likely made them over cautious.......
Maybe it was the time the pies were delivered? ;D
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Hi Fermi
I agree with Gerry about Nymans and Wakehurst Place but maybe you would also like to consider the Cornish Gardens. May is early in the year for our typical English herbaceous borders whereas the Cornish gardens with magnolias, camellias etc will be looking great. You might want to have a look at gardenvisit,com to see if they appeal.
I sometimes go to Cottesbrooke Hall (for the annual Plant Fair :) ) and fit in a visit to the very lovely Coton Manor which is only a few miles away. I know it's Northamptonshire but you will be on your way to Birmingham!!
Margaret
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I sometimes go to Cottesbrooke Hall (for the annual Plant Fair :) )
Margaret
Is the plant fair on this year, I cant find any publicity an they ae usually very good at publicity ???
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Is this what you mean? Cottesbrooke Gardeners’ Fair next year –
28th, 29th and 30th June 2013
http://www.cottesbrooke.co.uk/gardeners-fair/blog/Cottesbrooke-Gardeners-Fair-2012---a-picture-story/47.html (http://www.cottesbrooke.co.uk/gardeners-fair/blog/Cottesbrooke-Gardeners-Fair-2012---a-picture-story/47.html)
Edit : 8th April - The Cottesbrooke Fair will NOT take place in 2013
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Yes and I have looked for that time and again and not found it ::)
Will have to miss it as will be in San Francisco ;D
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They had it pretty well hidden :D
Perhaps they just didn't want to disappoint you because you can't go ;) ;D
- reckon San Francisco is a good swap though.......
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Well done, Maggi, I searched and couldn't find any info either.
Helen there is the Spring Plant Fair at Great Comp this Sunday 14th at 11.00. They do good cakes in the cafe as well as tempting plants!
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I'm still not convinced it is going ahead - Cottesbrooke as they normally have a webpage and promote it and some nurserymen were quering it a while ago.
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Thanks for all the suggestions!
We'll start plotting where we can go to be able to see as many as possible.
cheers
fermi
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Cottesbrooke was a mud bath last year. Maybe that has caused them to reconsider? Pity; the content was great, just the venue less than ideal.
My favourite garden is East Ruston Old Vicarage http://www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk/ (http://www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk/) but it's so far off the beaten track that I don't think it could be considered.
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Alan,
it's actually one that I'd wanted to visit but it maybe a bit out of the way for this trip - there's always next time! ;D
cheers
fermi
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Looking back at our photos, we stayed in a B&B near Marlborough when we visited Iford the first time, we also went to The Abbey Gardens at Malmesbury and a National Trust Garden, 'The Courts' at Bradford on Avon.
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All these recommendations make me realise how many of the fab gardens in my own country I havent visited yet. I must rectify this.
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I'm still not convinced it is going ahead - Cottesbrooke as they normally have a webpage and promote it and some nurserymen were quering it a while ago.
I rang 'em up - eventually got a recorded message about opening hours which states that the Cottesbrooke Fair will NOT take place in 2013
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thanks - suspect the ground were so trashed with all the bad weather last year when they had the fair. Its held on the lawn in front of the house so you wouldnt want to be looking at a cagmire!!
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Hope you have a good trip, Fermi.
Helen, I emailed Cottesbrooke yesterday and got this reply today:
Thank you very much for your interest in the Cottesbrooke Garden Fair. The Garden Fair in its current format will not be held in 2013, however we are working with the exhibitors to develop a new gardeners event and will be releasing details of this event in due course. We will keep a record of your contact details and will send you news of the event once the plans are complete.
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Hi Margaret
Something to look forward to in 2014 maybe then!
Thanks
Helen
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If you visit the Abbey gardens in Malmesbury check the dates first or you may see more than you expected.
http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk/events/clothes-optional-days (http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk/events/clothes-optional-days)
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It would, of course, be pertinent to check all for opening dates and times, especially as it is not the height of the season.
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If you visit the Abbey gardens in Malmesbury check the dates first or you may see more than you expected.
http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk/events/clothes-optional-days (http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk/events/clothes-optional-days)
;D ;D ;D
we'll have left for the Emerald Isle by the first of those days!
cheers
fermi
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Looking back at our photos, we stayed in a B&B near Marlborough when we visited Iford the first time, we also went to The Abbey Gardens at Malmesbury and a National Trust Garden, 'The Courts' at Bradford on Avon.
Brian,
We've been to Stourhead today - absolutely incredible! - and afterwards walked around the National Trust village of Lacock this evening before a lovely meal in the George Inn.
We found a nice B&B in Chittoe Heath near Melksham which is quick close to 'The Courts' so we'll go there tomorrow before visiting Iford tomorrow - fortunately we checked the website before heading to Iford today! That's why we went to Stourhead instead ;D
Thanks again for the suggestions,
cheers
fermi
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Fermi Yes Stourhead is pretty amazing. Friends I stayed with in Winchester took me there in September. The roses at Mottisfont Abbey should be flowering by now and there is quite a bit of underplanting but too late now for you.
South of Dublin at Bray a garden that I thought the best private garden I had ever seen was that of the late Rosemary Brown - Graigueconna Gardens but it has sold but I believe the new owner is maintaining the gardener and the garden which is the best of news. Helen Dillon used to organise open gardens I think too around Dublin. In Dublin check out the Glasnevin Botanic garden - they must have such a great library there - and the cemetery next door is pretty amazing as well!
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We've been to Stourhead today - absolutely incredible!
Glad you enjoyed it Fermi, we certainly do. Funnily enough we were staying quite close by at the same time ::)
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It's our last day in Dublin today! We set off for home tomorrow morning.
Ireland has been marvelous! We got to see wildflowers on The Burren, the Caherbridge garden, the Italianate Gardens on Garinish (Ilnacullin) Island, private gardens of forumists, the "Botanics" in Glasnevin, and today two splendid private gardens - Billy Moore's and Helen Dillon's!
Throughout our visit we've been encountered such wonderful generosity on the part of garden owners all over the UK and Ireland.
We can only hope to offer some hospitality in return if some of them ever venture down to our part of the world!
cheers
fermi and Will
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Have a good trip back home boys, I'm waiting to see the pics.
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It's our last day in Dublin today! We set off for home tomorrow morning.
Throughout our visit we've been encountered such wonderful generosity on the part of garden owners all over the UK and Ireland.
We can only hope to offer some hospitality in return if some of them ever venture down to our part of the world!
cheers
fermi and Will
Do you think a SRGC meeting could be held way down South ;D Hope all is well at home and the plants haven't suffered to much without your attention.
Angie :)
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Have a not too tiring trip with plenty of sleep to idle away the hours.
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Have a not too tiring trip with plenty of sleep to idle away the hours.
Pat,
The "tiring" has started already! Had to check in at 6:30 am for 9:20 am flight - not great when we didn't finish re-packing till midnight (didn't help that they were showing a "new" episode of QI on the BBC at 10 pm) - so now waiting in Dublin airport for them to announce our departure gait.
Plenty of good memories though of a great holiday.
David,
Hopefully I'll be able to download the pics when I get back to work, though I've been told that I have too many pics stored!
Angie,
You're always welcome to visit!
cheers
fermi and Will
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I'm with David - I'd love to see some pictures of the Irish gardens, especially Garinish. (How ridiculous asking someone flying back to Australia for pictures of Irish gardens!! Your garden travels here must have been sensational!).
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Hi Fermi & Will,
I'll always remember our chats over the balconies at our Prague hotel, such fun it all was!
And I've been finally sorting out my seed and sowing this week. Those seeds you gave me I couldn't find reference to in books so I had to Google the names. When I did, I have seen photos of some wonderful plants so I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed that they germinate and grow for me. Both look as if they might be tender if planted outside though. I had enough of the Crossyne to give to a few other people to enjoy too!
Many thanks for your generosity!
Hope you have a safe journey home....
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Finally able to spare the time to put on some pics from this wonderful island.
We were told that there is a "push" to refer to it by its irish name of "Ilnacullin" as there's another Garinish Is. not far away!
First x2 - seal rocks
approaching from the boat ramp
map of the Island
Casita
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approaching the Casita
sitting in the Casita!
2 views from the Casita
looking into the Italianate Garden
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The Italianate garden
a corner of the pond
the Portico at the other end
side view of Casita
wall planting at the base
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Some of the lovely walls and gateways;
the last pic features an espaliered fig.
cheers
fermi
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Within the Walled Garden
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More pics from within the walled garden
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Onwards to the temple!
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Along the path to the temple:
?Rosa primula?
White flowered Rhododendron
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More Rhododendrons on the path up to the Martello Tower.
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Tremendous to see those pictures of Ilnacullin Fermi, it's somewhere I would love to visit. It must be very comparable with Tresco in the potential to grow so many tender plants. I remember visiting some marvellous gardens in the SW of Ireland, including Lakemount, Brian Cross' garden (with thanks to Hester Forde who runs the Group in Cork). Now given the opportunity would I make an Italianate garden full of proteas and palms, or a Peter Korn style sand garden full of dryland alpines? I think the latter suits my budget better!
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The Martello Tower
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Wall-flowers ;D
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View from Tower
and further down we found a Drimys winteri in flower.
cheers
fermi