A walled garden - the very name conjures up contained delight? It also suggests sheltering and cherishing something special - a place away from prying eyes.
Of course the children's book "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett has perhaps influenced our feelings about walled gardens, making them seem romantic. This book was first published in serial form in 1910 and it went on to become a classic which has spawned many TV and film adaptations.
The garden that inspired it is said to be Maytham Hall in Kent, where the author had lived for a few years. This is an early cover, isn't it lovely?
Over the years I have walked around many lovely walled gardens and only last week I visited a super newly designed one at Alnwick Castle which the Queen visited yesterday.
Another top two are -
West Dean in West Sussex -
and Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk -
Of course all of these are maintained by a staff of gardeners, as they were in the past when they needed to be the productive powerhouse that supplied each estate. Today they are mainly visitor attractions which we can only dream of owning - but oh we can dream! To walk around one in mid summer is just magical!
Of course the children's book "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett has perhaps influenced our feelings about walled gardens, making them seem romantic. This book was first published in serial form in 1910 and it went on to become a classic which has spawned many TV and film adaptations.
The garden that inspired it is said to be Maytham Hall in Kent, where the author had lived for a few years. This is an early cover, isn't it lovely?
Over the years I have walked around many lovely walled gardens and only last week I visited a super newly designed one at Alnwick Castle which the Queen visited yesterday.
West Dean in West Sussex -
and Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk -
Of course all of these are maintained by a staff of gardeners, as they were in the past when they needed to be the productive powerhouse that supplied each estate. Today they are mainly visitor attractions which we can only dream of owning - but oh we can dream! To walk around one in mid summer is just magical!
2 comments:
It's always the first thing I check when visiting somewhere....do they have touring gardens! Love your pics....everything is so lush!
I can't even maintain a pot of flowers, much less a garden. But I love to see the beautiful photos of gardens and then shut my eyes and briefly picture myself touching the blooms and smelling the earth. Ahhh.
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