Taken at Ness Botanic Gardens on the 2021 holiday

2022 New Day Trips​

Encombe Garden & Eastington Farm, Purbeck 
​
​Wednesday 8th June 2022 

Available initially to members only from our January meeting, 29th January 2022
Our initial trip of the year takes us to 2 local gardens that are rarely open to the public - their styles providing a contrast to each other - one intimate and one expansive. This was originally set up for 2020, but had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.
In the morning we visit Eastington Farm, a mellow Grade-II listed manor house, with four acres. Over coffee and cake the owner will give us an introductory talk about the gardens, where she battles with strong, salt-laden winds and thin soil.  Beautifully restored stone walls protect and enclose the main flower gardens and provide a foil for the extensive planting.

Then on to Encombe, a substantial and historic 18th century house in a sheltered setting at the top of a broad valley and encircled by a landscape of open pasture. The owners have undertaken an extensive redevelopment of the grounds with designer Tom Stuart-Smith.  Here we can picnic in the grounds around the lake which Tom describes as “the only infinity lake I know and a wonderful coup de théâtre”. The gardens are composed of sweeping borders filled with perennials and grasses, a Tuscan-style temple, a new stone terrace and a walled garden with a young orchard and flower meadows. There is also a kitchen garden and glasshouse.

Whilst refreshments are included at both venues, we recommend you bring along a packed lunch to eat in the grounds of the Encombe Estate.

Included:
* Return coach travel departing from Olivers Road, Colehill at 10.00 am, returning to Colehill by 4.00 pm.
* Entrance into and refreshments in both the Gardens
* Driver’s gratuity

PLEASE NOTE, THAT SHOULD THIS TRIP NEED TO BE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID, WE SHALL REFUND THE COST OF THE TICKET IN FULL, AS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

Cost:
Members  £30.00                                     Non Members  £35.00

​For more details about the Trip, Terms and Conditions of Booking, and Booking Form click on the button below. The leaflet also contains the contact details of the Administrator of the Trip.

ENCOMBE ESTATE AND EASTINGTON FARM DETAILS AND BOOKING FORM

Malverleys & Houghton Lodge Gardens
​
​Tuesday 26th July 2022 

Available initially to members only from our January meeting, 29th January 2022
​We were lucky enough to visit Malverleys in April 2018, and following Head Gardener Matt Reese’s talk recently, we are returning to see the garden in all its glory, in July! A new English Flower Garden set within the grounds of a country estate. Begun in 2010, the 10-acre gardens have been designed by Matt in conjunction with the owners, and are influenced by Great Dixter in Sussex and the writings of iconic gardeners such as Christopher Lloyd, William Robinson and Vita Sackville-West. The garden includes abundantly planted terraces and long borders; a stumpery, a topiary meadow, a cool garden; a hot garden; a rose-clad cloister garden; and a large pond garden that reflects the dynamic planting on all sides. The walled garden contains areas for fruit, vegetables and cut flowers, alongside a white garden with four small fountains. Matt will also be doing 2 tours during the morning.

After you have eaten your packed lunch at Malverleys, or on the coach as we travel between the gardens, we shall arrive at Houghton Lodge Garden which has only recently been on Gardeners World, and used on countless photo shoots for films and dramas. Situated above the River Test the lodge exemplifies the ‘picturesque’ genre of the late 1700’s. Here you will find both formal and informal gardens. A walled garden including ancient fan -trained fruit trees and giant espalier pear, themed herb garden, rose arbour, peony walk, and orchid house. Outside the gates from the walled garden you will find a herbaceous border, topiary peacock garden and 14 acres of ancient water meadows. For 2022 a new Japanese Garden is planned. Teas and homemade cakes will be served, exclusively for us, in the Orangery

You will need to bring a packed lunch.

Included:
 * Return coach travel departing from Olivers Road, Colehill at 9.00 am or Meeting House Lane, Ringwood at 9.20 am, returning by 5.00pm depending on traffic
 * Entrance into both gardens
 * Tour with Head Gardener, Matt Reese, at Malverleys
 * Refreshments at both venues
 * Driver’s gratuity

PLEASE NOTE, THAT SHOULD THIS TRIP NEED TO BE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID, WE SHALL REFUND THE COST OF THE TICKET IN FULL, AS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

Cost:
Members  £41.00                                     Non Members  £46.00

For more details about the Trip, Terms and Conditions of Booking, and Booking Form click on the button below. The leaflet also contains the contact details of the Administrator of the Trip.

MALVERLEYS AND HOUGHTON LODGE GARDENS DETAILS AND BOOKING FORM

Sussex Prairies and Borde Hill
​Thursday 8th September 2022 

Available initially to members only from our January meeting, 29th January 2022
​Our first stop will be to Sussex Prairies, Henfield, the largest prairie or naturalistic garden in the country, 8 acres of grasses and perennials in huge borders, which only opened to the public in 2009. Our September visit is timed to see the garden at its peak. The owners will give us an introductory talk and we are visiting in the morning before they open to the general public. There is a kiosk offering teas/coffees, cakes and ice creams only or you can eat your packed lunch in the gardens. Plants will be for sale.

We then have a short 20 minute journey to Borde Hill, a heritage garden set within 200 acres of traditional parkland with views over the Sussex high Weald. The 17 acre garden includes a rose garden, Italian garden, Paradise Walk, Dell and a Midsummer Border. There is a cafe should you wish to purchase lunch or you can picnic in the grounds. There is also a shop and a plant nursery. 

Don't forget to bring a packed lunch.

Included:
 * Return coach travel departing from Olivers Road, Colehill at 9.00 am, or Meeting House Lane, Ringwood at 9.20 am, returning by 6.00 pm depending on traffic.
 * Entrance into both gardens with introductory welcome talks
 * Driver’s gratuity

PLEASE NOTE, THAT SHOULD THIS TRIP NEED TO BE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID, WE SHALL REFUND THE COST OF THE TICKET IN FULL, AS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

Cost:
Members  £34.00                                     Non Members  £39.00

For more details about the Trip, Terms and Conditions of Booking, and Booking Form click on the button below. The leaflet also contains the contact details of the Administrator of the Trip.

SUSSEX PRAIRIES AND BORDE HILL DETAILS AND BOOKING FORM