If you want to see a typical English country garden then visit Coton Manor in Northamptonshire. The garden covers 10 acres on a hillside location extending down from a 17th century manor house built in mellow Northamptonshire stone.
I went on a visit there yesterday with a friend as it only takes about half an hour to get there from where we live.We struck lucky with the weather - it was a gloriously sunny day - I know - a rare occasion - just right for strolling round the gardens, woodland and meadows.
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| formal garden |
The reason I like this garden is that it is do-able - you can translate areas of the garden into something you can achieve in your own garden.
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| Stableyard cafe |
There is a stableyard cafe which services delicious lunches and afternoon teas - with a resident parrot who you can have a good chat with, and where there are plenty of plants for sale.
There is a beautiful three acre wildflower meadow which was full of ox eye daisies, clover, vetch and wild carrot.
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| wildflower meadow |
The herbaceous borders are beautifully managed - not a weed in sight- and the lady of the manor in amongst the plants doing her bit - one or two gardeners and a handful of volunteers really keeping the whole place immaculate.
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| herbaceous borders |
One of the features of the garden is lots of water - little runnels running all through it, with ponds and small areas of water for ducks and their ducklets.
In May the 10 acre bluebell wood is stunning sight - I visited it in May last year and it took my breath away.
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| bluebell wood |
After a pretty hot wander round we sat in the courtyard and had tea and warm scones with apricot jam and clotted cream. Heaven. It really is worth a visit if you like a garden that isn't too grand but will give you plenty of ideas to go home with. All in all a lovely day out.
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