We've been to Consall Hall Landscape Gardens several times in Spring and Summer, in fact I've written about it on this blog before. The gardens aren't very far away from where we live, about 15 minutes by car and we'd always planned to go in Autumn, in fact the last time we went the man on the desk said to us that the gardens were spectacular in Autumn so this year we decided to visit. Imagine my surprise and sadness when I visited the garden's website to check the opening times only to read that on 28th of October they were closing for good.
The reason they are closing is twofold; the owner and designer of the gardens Mr William Podmore is nearly 91 years old and the number of people visiting has fallen over the last couple of years making it financially impossible for him to continue, so he has decided to call it a day.
Over fifty years Mr Podmore has created a superb garden of lakes, woodlands, wildlife habitats, summerhouses and follies from what was formerly an industrial site.
The gardens are right next door to the Consall Nature Park and the Churnet Valley Railway - you can hear the steam train - the one I photographed in the last post but one - toot tooting as it passes through the Churnet Valley and stops at nearby Consal Station on its way from Froghall to Cheddleton.
Everywhere you look is a spectacular view arranged by Mr Podmore to maximum effect for the visitor - a constant delight to the eye and the senses.
These are just a few of the many photos I took and I would normally say to whet your appetite for a visit but in this case unless you can go on the next two Wednesdays or this coming Sunday it won't be possible.
I'm so glad that we were able to visit this wonderful garden, which I'm sure has brought such pleasure to its visitors over the last four years since it opened, one last time before it closes and at such a beautiful time of year too.
Such a shame that these gardens will be closed, the scenery is amazing, as well as the colours!
ReplyDeleteHi Rosie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful sight these gardens are and how very sad that they will be closing. I am so glad you decided to visit when you did or you have missed seeing it at all.
I would hope that some time in the future some one else would again open it to the public.
It is a splendid work of art, designed by the owner and painted by mother nature...
That is such a shame that the gardens will be closing. They are so beautiful. I just hope they dont get the bulldozers in and turn it into yet another housing development.
ReplyDeleteI read about this in the paper, what a shame. Beautiful photos, a delight.
ReplyDeleteand now I am thinking "Why didn't we go whilst we had the chance?" I wonder who will take it over?
ReplyDeleteHow sad that you will no longer be able to visit such lovely gardens.
ReplyDeleteO my, I can't imagine - hope someone or some organisation will take it over from him! It looks like fairy land - beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place. Can't you campaign to keep it open? Glad you got to see it - especially as it looks so stunning at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteHow very sad that the gardens are to close for good. I wonder what will become of them?
ReplyDeleteHow sad that these lovely gardens are closing - I hope that they won't be lost completely. Mr Podmore has done a wonderful thing converting an industrial site into such a beautiful place and it must be a marvellous wildlife habitat too - hopefully a local conservation organization will take it over in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens did in fact open again this year in April and will close for the season on 31st October, re-opeining in April next year
ReplyDeletethe gardens at Consall have continued to open as a company are helping to run it for Mr Podmore the season ends on 31st October this year and will re-open in April next year.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for letting me know that is wonderful news. Now I know we can visit again next spring:)
ReplyDelete