A couple of years ago my Mum visited a garden on the Somerset Levels...she kept telling me what an amazing place it was & saying things like "I can't really describe the place, but you really need to visit it next time it's open". So when we heard that the annual 'open garden' event was happening, we jumped in the car and drove out onto the Somerset Levels to see what all the fuss was about.
Well, she was right. It is an amazing place & it is hard to describe...but I'll have a go. The owners of the main farmhouse have created an intriguing garden which covers about three acres of land. You move around the garden from one part to another, almost like moving from room-to-room in a house and you never quite know what's going to be around the corner...here are just some of the things we saw...
a metal UFO-type sculpture cum look-out post,
We saw compost toilets adorned with silk scarves and flowers,
a disused bus turned into a cosy home,
a beautiful artists studio,
an outside bath warmed only by a log fire underneath,
the best handmade metal swinging garden seat ever,
hammocks dotted about the place,
a cosy yurt in the orchard,
willow sculptures,
fairy doors into the woods,
nets draped in the trees for adults to climb into & bounce about like big kids in,
and a lake created by the owners complete with arched bridge leading out to an island in the middle.
All this was accompanied by the atmospheric sounds of Fiddlers on the Hoof who were strolling around the garden with their accordion and fiddle. Later on when we settled down for some storytelling outside the artist's studio, they bought out a harp to accompany the stories. The whole place was magical.
I think it's wonderful that the creative people who own this home open their doors to raise money for the local hospice. If they didn't, we wouldn't have had the chance to glimpse into the amazing, enchanting garden they have worked so hard to create.
I'm linking up with #countrykids...hope you've all had fun out & about this week
I love the Somerset Levels - something quite mysterious about them - a perect setting for creatve gardens and stories! This place looks great - a little Alice in Wonderland-ish!
ReplyDeleteThis place looks really quirky! Totally my type of place! Is this near Bristol or North Somerset? I was to show my husband so that we can visit it in the future too =) #countrykids
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful and magical garden with so much to explore and experience. How wonderful that they open their doors to raise money for such a great cause. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteThere was definitely Alice in Wonderland quality about it!
ReplyDeleteThe gardens are in North Somerset, right out in the sticks, near Puxton village :)