JENNY RAWORTH GARDEN DAYS 2012
Special visits
for small groups to private gardens
DAY 2
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE & OXFORDSHIRE GARDENS
Tuesday 12th June
The Manor House, Bledlow
Lord Carrington
This has been the home of the Carrington family since 1790. A double row of viburnum carlesii leads to a sunken pool behind the house with a two-storey gazebo inspired by a visit to Hidcote. To the front of the house is a yellow and blue garden with a dramatic fountain centre piece by William Pye. In other parts of the garden there are parterres, huge shrub roses and large mixed borders surrounding the immaculately manicured lawns. The walled vegetable garden is crossed by central borders with flowering perennials with mopped headed apples and small beds of herbs in different hedged compartments. An immaculate topiary garden is at the entrance to Lord Carrington’s sculpture garden where the sculptures are displayed with great originality and humour. Across the road is the Lyde garden. The Lyde is a tributary of the River Thames and rises here. This is a wild water garden of great tranquillity planted with primulas, gunnera and hostas.
Lunch at Towersey Manor
Towersey Manor, Towersey
Mr. & Mrs. David Barnett
Mrs.Barnett has gardening in her blood as she is the daughter of the famous gardener and designer, Esther Merton. The garden at Towersey was created from nothing by the Barnetts and is now filled with rooms of yew and hornbeam hedges giving protection to many unusual shrubs, , trees and old roses. A long central axis down the middle of the garden has been created giving a long vista leading to a large grassy mound with an obelisk and moat created for the millennium. Climb to the top to see the wonderful views to the surrounding countryside.
A swimming pool is hidden in one of the hedged rooms and I loved the long nuttery tunnel going on to a wild flower garden and ponds with ducks. Mrs. Barnett is very kindly giving us lunch in the ancient tithe barn.
A great day out in two beautiful gardens rarely open to the public. Don’t miss it!
Meet: 10.30am The Manor House, Bledlow
Transport: Own cars – directions sent with confirmation
Finish: 3.30pm
Cost: £98.00