We Have Visited Some Fabulous Gardens Over The Years

May Visit to Vann

We were fortunate to be welcomed to this internationally renowned five-acre garden by Mary Caroe who gave us an introductory talk in the formal old “cottage garden” at the front of the house explaining that the house and gardens had been in her family since the 16th century. We were amazed that she had very little help in the garden. There was so

much variety to see including the unique Water Garden by Gertrude Jekyll. We loved the huge plant sale as well.

Sadly Mary passed away in 2020 from Covid-19.

In July we visited two local gardens opening especially for our group

Monks Lantern in Chertsey is a delightful garden with borders arranged with colour in mind: silvers and white, olive trees, nicotiana and senecio blending together. Large rockery and an informal pond with ducks! After we had enjoyed a pub lunch it was off to Stuart Cottage in East Clandon to see an amazing floriferous garden filled with herbaceous plants, roses, clematis, a decorative kitchen garden and so much more. Plus a fabulous afternoon tea and plant sale.

July was also our coach trip and we visited Fittleworth House and Parham House and Gardens

We were excited to visit Fittleworth House in West Sussex after hearing a talk from the Head Gardener Mark Saunders in 2018 and we weren't disappointed. Mark guided us around the 3 acre garden and his knowledge kept us asking questions way after we should have departed for the afternoon visit. The walled kitchen garden was amazing, growing a wide range of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. Then off to Parham in the afternoon to see stunning colour-themed wide herbaceous borders, roses, a cut flower garden, a vegetable garden, an orchard, a 1920's greenhouse and more.

In August Sue Vlassopolus hosted our Summer Party in her spectacular garden in Pyrford

It was a fabulous afternoon. Perfect weather, an amazing garden, with a welcome glass of Prosecco followed by a fabulous afternoon tea. The guys in the group enjoyed seeing Sue's husbands Ferrari memorobilia collection as well.

The summer hat competition was a great success with some very unusual and innovative designs.

Click on Photo to See Slide Show

Here is where we went in 2019 - sadly no outings were possible in 2020/21

September was a minibus trip to Sussex

We visited Borde Hill which is set within over 200 acres of traditional parkland. An Elizabethan Tudor mansion (not open to public), provides a superb backdrop to the formal 17-acre Garden which flows in a series of linked ‘garden rooms.

In the afternoon we visited Sussex Prairie Gardens with grasses and late perennials filling large beds with walkways to

scramble through the plantings. Very unusual.