Bollington & District Gardening Club – West Country Gardens Trip
The highlight of the Bollington and District Gardening Club summer calendar was a delightful three-day visit to three special gardens in the West Country.
Our first stop en route to Taunton, our base for the trip, was the magnificent Hestercombe Gardens in Somerset. These beautifully restored gardens span three centuries of garden design. A particular highlight was the formal Edwardian garden, a collaboration between Sir Edwin Lutyens and the pioneering plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll. Their masterful design—with rills, waterfalls, temples, and stone staircases were enhanced by sweeping drifts of hardy perennials arranged with painterly precision. The gardens also offer spectacular views across the Vale of Taunton.
On our second day, we visited the RHS Garden Rosemoor, nestled in the lush Devon valley. Covering 65 acres and surrounded by deciduous woodland, the garden is a haven of beauty. We were treated to exquisite displays of roses, clematis, peonies, and vibrant vegetable plots and woodland streams all flourishing in the warm, dry weather. For many of us, this was our first time at Rosemoor, and we were all so impressed that we hope to return in the future.
Our final garden visit was to the ever-popular Hidcote Manor Garden, an Arts and Crafts gem famed for its lavender. A wonderful blend of formal and informal planting creates a magical atmosphere. It’s always fascinating to see how different plants thrive in various parts of the country. Among the highlights were a beautifully scented Moroccan Broom with pineapple scent blooms and an eye-catching Cornus ‘Radiant Rose’.
Throughout our trip, warm dry weather which made for a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring three days.
We now look forward to our next adventure to Breezy Knees Garden near York this August.
Maria O’Brien
Photos of Rosemoor by Kate Walker