Barnsdale Gardens

Barnsdale Gardens, near Oakham and Stamford, in the tiny county of Rutland, was originally home to the BBC's Gardeners' World programme, which the late Jeff Hamilton presented during the 1980s and early 1990s.    It is now run by his son, Nick Hamilton, and includes tea rooms, gift shop and garden nursery.  It also runs courses and events, plus provides a venue for weddings and functions.

There are 39 individual gardens on the 8 acre site, all developed to give people an assortment of ideas for building their own garden.   

I can remember watching Jeff Hamilton, as he established various gardens, on Gardeners' World, so was absolutely delighted when Richard and Dawn asked if we would like to visit Barnsdale Gardens.  

A stop for coffee before we started was a necessity of course.  One needs to be fully alert when visiting gardens such as Barnsdale.  Good coffee too.

Walter admiring the walkway covered with espaliered fruit trees.

A family group enjoying a cottage garden.

A wildlife garden, with plenty of bees humming around the flower heads.

A beautiful eucalyptus tree, very silvery and shimmery, towering above the shrubs.

A peaceful corner in one of the gardens.

An unusual sculpture in front of one of the vegetable gardens.

A cool spot under the trees.   Time for a rest and to dream.

A shady walkway leading to yet another garden.  Mysterious turning in the path ahead.

The formal pool and knot garden, with a painting on display.

A wedding in progress.   What a wonderful setting.

Colour co-ordinated, in yellow.   And hundreds of bees, which did not show up in the photograph.

I loved the topiary pieces in this garden.  

This is a cottage garden, with a box design in the middle. Very precise.

This looks like a seaside garden but looking at the plan, I think it is called the Lands' End garden.

I was so taken with the gardens that I spent the time looking and photographing gardens and plants, but did not refer to the Visitors' Guide.   Until now.    So of course, I cannot identify all the photographs.   Typical.

However, it was a fantastic place to visit, to browse around enjoying the designs, perfumes, textures, flowers, and the variety of trees and plants.    And to to dream about making some changes in one's own garden.   Truly inspirational.