"2 people, 4-acres, 6ft rain, 30+ gardening years" was the phrase from the NGS Yellow Book, which acted like a magnet for a visit to Windy Hall, just south of Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria last Sunday. The fact that the garden is just a few miles down the road from the caravan was another reason why we could not miss out on a chance to visit. By one of those spooky coincidences 'Gardener's World' got there just before us so we were able to have a sneak preview of the garden on the Friday night before our visit.
According to the friendly welcoming party the GW factor was swelling normal visitor numbers even at 10.45am. We were informed that the BBC crew had spent some 12 hours at the garden which resulted in just a few minutes coverage. With the aid of a well illustrated map we set off to explore the most tranquil and unmanicured of gardens. This is a garden where moss is celebrated rather than eradicated. There was certainly plenty to admire including the moss path (top left), the Japanese influenced quarry garden (above and below middle) and a waterfowl garden. The garden also has national collections of aruncus and filipendula.
The highlight of the visit for me was a remark from himself who looking at a patch of flowers uttered the words "What are those lovely little blue fellows? I was that flabbergasted I can't remember what the flowers were. After 30+ garden visiting years I've finally converted him.
Windy Hall opens under the NGS. Sadly both the 2015 dates are now done and dusted but the garden also opens to visitors by prior arrangement from April -August.
It's amazing how much wasted footage the BBC must have. Quite a few years mow GW did 4 hours filming with is which resulted in a 4 minute slot and that shared with the RHS
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this garden on Gardener's World, it looked lovely. The beauty of the caravan is that you've now got a new base around some new gardens to discover. Mick didn't have any interest in gardening before I took on my allotment but he's even recognising certain flowers these days.
ReplyDeleteTwo in one accomplishment, to see this garden and get the OH converted :)
ReplyDeleteI think having your garden featured on shows like GW is a sure fire way to increase visitor numbers. The owners must be pleased of that.
ReplyDeleteWindy Hall looks like the perfect spot to spend the day, cease the chance with your OH, I hope his conversion is permanent.
This garden looks beautifully wild and that path in the forest is just out of this world!
ReplyDeleteMany years ago Carol Klein came when she was doing Open Gardens on BBC2. The team came for 8 afternoons and that was condensed into 15 minutes! The garden looks really lovely, we saw it on GW. and enjoyed it then, your photos add an extra dimension.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of all that cool damp shade full of ferns and mosses. Very peaceful.
ReplyDeletegot a picture of Lovely Blue?
ReplyDeleteI like this garden especially the woodland bits - I sometimes drag my husband round with me but he still can't recognise one plant from another.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a lovely garden, I saw it on the TV too. I'm glad you've finally converted him, a major achievement :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks a lovely place, great photos too :)
ReplyDeleteMy heart rose when I read 'two people, 4 acres'. And then I got to 30 years...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful garden! I'd love to wander England with one of those Yellow Books. If I had four acres to garden in, my family might never see me again. :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments. Diana - I will have to ask himself if he took a photo of the "lovely little blue fellows". I was totally distracted by his comment :)
ReplyDeleteYes, the winning over of the husband to the ways of the garden is a thrill. I don't say anything when my DH comments on a plant, for fear I will scare him off. ;-)
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