Gardens
The house and moat form a perfect setting for the gardens. A particular feature of the gardens is the multitude of old English roses that adorn the walls of the house, the walled garden and many borders giving off an almost overpowering scent when in full bloom. Roses in the collection include the famous R. Mme. Alfred Carrier, Vita Sackville West's favourite R. Souvenir du Dr. Jamain, R. Fantin Latour, R. Cardinal de Richelieu, R. Rambling Rector, R. Ragosa Rosa de l'Hay as well as literally hundreds more.
The gardens and the arboretum together amount to about 20 acres.
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After neglecting the gardens somewhat during the house purchase and renovation process we have been hard at work to develop the gardens both by restoring what was already here as well as by innovation. The gardens are very much a work in progress and we hope that they will evolve and improve season by season as well as year by year. Indeed there are many interesting features to note throughout the year from the roses in full bloom in June to the herbaceous borders in July and August as well as the snowdrops and aconites in January and February closely followed by the drifts of daffodils in March and April and the formality of the “Osprey Garden” throughout the year.
The gardens are open to groups of 20 or more by prior arrangement. Teas are also available to garden visitors at an additional charge.