Geoff's - 'The Living Garden' was one of my older daughter's preferred bedtime books when she was little. Loved all the photos of beetles/spiders etc. When I watched G's World on a Saturday morning, she suddenly looked at the screen and went 'man' and pointed, because she realised who it was. She was only 2. One of my favourite memories form her childhood.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've read that book @Winston_The_Gravity_Man, it was fascinating. In fact you've encouraged me to dig it out and read it again I remember my first visit to Barnsdale. I could hear Geioff Hamilton's voice as we visited the different areas.
One day, @AnniD , I'm going to get to visit Barnsdale. In fact, I've just decided I'm going to go there this year, as soon as I can when I get back to the UK. Do you have any recommendations for things I shouldn't miss ?
When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
Instead of downloading his Organic Gardening book as I said I would, I downloaded 'Geoff Hamilton : The Complete Gardener' by Tony Hamilton, his surviving twin brother. Oh My Goodness, what an excellent read it is ... packed with anecdotes and stories about Geoff and his life, full of excellent photographs of Barnsdale and the like, advice on planning and growing. I just can't recommend the book enough. Wish I'd read it years ago !
I bought a second hand copy online a few years ago; a really good read!
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
If yiu mean things you shouldn't miss at Barnsdale itself @Winston_The_Gravity_Man, the gardens are laid out in such a way that you go from one to the other. It's a real nostalgia trip ! The website gives you some idea of the way they are set out, and if you wanted to, you can buy the guide online before you go (plus tickets).
The tea rooms do good food and you can pre book afternoon tea if you're so inclined. Last time we were there they were playing some of Geoff Hamilton's dvd's. I found listening to his voice whilst having a cuppa at Barnsdale very moving.
“ Do you have any recommendations for things I shouldn't miss ?”
The region is very scenic, very Cotswolds-esque @Winston_The_Gravity_Man. You’re just minutes away from Rutland Water where cruises on the Rutland Belle to see the ospreys are an option. There are two wildlife centres with hides, as well as more commercial touristy things towards the eastern end of the lake such as cycle hire and activity centres.
Almost every village has an attractive pub, an interesting church or scenic manor house. You could find out why Wing tried to fence in the cuckoo, how Whitwell got to be twinned with Paris and why there is a strongly catholic population in Exton.
Rutland Water has three nearby towns, all worth a visit. Stamford is famed for its superb Georgian architecture and the fabulous Burghley House and Park on the edge of the town. Oakham is the county town of Rutland and two minor treasures are the display of ceremonial horseshoes in the Castle, and the quaint Museum of Rural Life. Uppingham is a quintessential market town; it’s lovely. It’s full of bookshops, antique stores, quirky gift shops, pubs, coffee shops, a great coaching inn and, best of all, Goldmarks - the finest art gallery outside London. When friends visit they are just astonished by the quality of the art works (with prices to match).
Leaving Uppingham take the road that drops down to Stockerston - the view is splendid - skirt round the Eyebrook Reservoir and stop at the wonderful church in the hamlet of Stoke Dry. There are fascinating wall paintings dating back 600 years, a 900 year old carving of bell ringers, stories of boarded up witches and links to the Gunpowder Plot. Pop over to Lyddington, another gorgeous village and visit the Bede House. Then maybe the amazing Harringworth Viaduct and complete your journey at Rockingham Castle, in the same family’s ownership for 900 years.
Rutland is undervisited, no bad thing, but is well worth a short break.
Looks like I'm going to have to hurry up to visit Barnsdale. This is on the home page of their website ...... 😞
Please help save Barnsdale Gardens
A proposed huge solar farm on the field adjacent to Barnsdale Gardens would inevitably cause us to close. We need your help urgently. Please click below to sign our petition. Thank you.
When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
I can’t see why closure is “inevitable”. Shielded by hedges, the solar farm would be practically invisible to visitors to the garden and I doubt they would be aware of its existence. However from Nick Hamilton’s house, especially from the first floor, their views of fields would be replaced by views of the solar farm. I certainly would not like it, indeed would be spitting feathers, but saying closure of the Gardens is inevitable seems disingenuous to me.
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When I watched G's World on a Saturday morning, she suddenly looked at the screen and went 'man' and pointed, because she realised who it was. She was only 2.
One of my favourite memories form her childhood.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I remember my first visit to Barnsdale. I could hear Geioff Hamilton's voice as we visited the different areas.
The website gives you some idea of the way they are set out, and if you wanted to, you can buy the guide online before you go (plus tickets).
https://shop.barnsdalegardens.co.uk/collections/gifts/products/the-barnsdale-gardens-souvenir-guide
The tea rooms do good food and you can pre book afternoon tea if you're so inclined. Last time we were there they were playing some of Geoff Hamilton's dvd's.
I found listening to his voice whilst having a cuppa at Barnsdale very moving.
Lots of info on the website.
https://barnsdalegardens.co.uk/index.html
Hope this helps
Rutland is undervisited, no bad thing, but is well worth a short break.
Please help save Barnsdale Gardens
A proposed huge solar farm on the field adjacent to Barnsdale Gardens would inevitably cause us to close. We need your help urgently. Please click below to sign our petition. Thank you.