Tynesfield National Trust - The Gardens

 

I was kindly invited by my two friends to join them on a walk to Tyntesfield National Trust recently.

The journey is nice and straight forward from home, literally getting on at junction 11 of the M5 and off at junction 19 and Tynesfield is then a short 15 minute drive from there.

 

My friends own there cute dog Molly the minature Schnauzer.  A very much loved and well travelled dog as they two own a campervan so head off on many adventures with Molly.

 

I shall be posting this blog in two parts as I felt the gardens themselves deserved it's own post and a seperate one for the house, which has a very fascinating story to it.

 

 

The gardens were in glourious full flower.  

 

The Rose Garden which was originally by William and Blanche Gibbs in 1860 the owners then of the property and it's grounds.

 

The garden had some glourious flowers and colour combinations of plants next to each other.

 

 

In the summer pink American pillar roses grow in a cascade from the arbour. This heritage variety dates from the mid-19th century.

 

The upper level forms a terrace built to enjoy the far-reaching views of the Mendip hills and Bristol Channel beyond. 

 

When I have previously visited I had not been down to the Kitchen garden area.

 

Goodness what a fascinating treat it was.  The area is bigger than any kitchen garden I had ever visited before.  My friend did make a very valid point though, that the location of the garden was a long way from the house, so the staff would have certainly got some excercise if they needed to get produce. 

 

Another vegetable I remeber seeing Monty harvesting when he was going around his own garden were Elephant garlic, which by all accounts can be stored for long periods, but you need to keep the roots intacked.

 

I have not seen tomatoes grown in individual containers which each variety having it's own raised bed.  

 

By planting Marigolds with tomatoes because they act as a natural pest deterrent and attract beneficial insects. 

 

Marigolds, particularly French Marigolds, release a strong scent that repels various tomato pests like whiteflies, aphids, and nematodes. Additionally, the bright colors of marigolds attract pollinators like bees, which are beneficial for tomato plants 

 

I loved the very delicate edging to this flower.

 

 

 

When I watched Monty Don on Gardener's World recently he had bought a Pelagonium "Lemon Kiss".  

 

He said the nursery who sold the plant recommended pinching off some of the leaves and putting it in the sugar that you would use if you were baking a cake as the lemon flavour would transfer to the plant and when he did a taste test it did!!  

 

So I am going to look out for this plant, not necessarily for baking but when you rubbed the leaves they had the most beautiful fresh lemon smell! 

There were so many varieties of vegetables growing in the garden.

Some was already starting to go over and I was surprised that they did not have any of the produce on sale.

There was a huge abundance of cherries, apricots, rubharb, lettuce just so much all looking so tasty. 

 

 

I loved that they showed the origianl Head Gardener's "office", how I would so love to have an office like this! 

 

When I am near retirement (which is not for a few year's yet!) I shall definately look into voluteering at a National Trust gardens if a position becomes available.  

 

For me being outdoors in nature is my favourite place to be. 

I treated myself to a glourious smelling bar of soap for home aswell!