Another Lovely Garden

A few weeks ago we visited another lovely garden, open on this particular day for the NGS or 'yellow book days' as we call them. We had travelled over towards Chesterfield to visit my sister and brother-in-law and luckily we were able to visit the garden at Fanshawe Gate Hall which is only about 10 minutes away, by car, from where they live.

The gardens have been created around a Tudor house although some parts are thought to be a lot older like the wonderful Dovecot above which has been restored over the last few years.

This is a side gate to the main drive - the steps beyound lead to the wildlife pond and the old English orchard.

This is the main drive up to the Old Hall, the cottage at the entrance to the gardens was once part of the main building of the hall, here the teas were served close to the Knot Garden.

The Knot Garden

I thought this border of ferns and hostas was particularly striking, my photo doesn't do it justice I'm afraid.

According to our little map these areas are called the hall borders, they are very pretty with cottage garden flowers against the old stone of the hall.

Above is the wildlife pond and beyond the orchard - here I met a very friendly spaniel who wanted to play 'fetch' - and I obliged for a while.

We thought that this was a Medlar tree - I meant to ask when we went for our refreshments but the ladies were so busy at the time and then I forgot to ask at the plant stall.

This is the back of the cottage; here there was a sitting room which visitors were allowed into - we stayed just long enough to sign the visitor's book. There was also an interesting display inside the dovecot.

This is the plant stall at the side of the old tithe barn which we visited on our way back to the car.