Glendoick Gardens, Perth, Scotland
Spectacular rhododendron and azalea gardens open April and May. Between Perth and Dundee
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Not far from St Austell in Cornwall is Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years. The so-called Lost Gardens of Heligan is claimed as one of the most mysterious and romantic estates in England. A genuine secret garden, it was lost for decades; its history consigned to overgrowth.
The gardens reached their zenith at the end of the 19th century. They gradually went into steep decline, succumbing to bramble and ivy, especially with the outbreak of World War One in 1914. The estate’s workforce went off to fight in the trenches; many sadly never to return.
Unlike many other estates, however, the gardens and land at Heligan were never sold or developed. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1970s that Heligan House itself was eventually sold and split into private apartments.
As described on the official website, after decades of neglect, the devastating hurricane of 1990 should have consigned the now lost gardens to a footnote in history. Instead the derelict gardens were discovered this year by Tim Smit and John Willis (a Tremayne descendant) and gradually restored to their present awed-winning status as one of the the world's most influential public gardens.
Incidentally, while restoring the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tim Smit (now Sir Tim Smit KBE) with others developed a former china clay pit, 60 metres deep, as the educative Eden Project, also near St Austell. (see my short video on this).
Holehird Gardens, near Windermere
Holehird Gardens, near Windermere, are a truly 'hidden gem'. I revisited the gardens in August to create this visual update, and the gardens and surroundings were just as beautiful as ever. You can read more about Holehird by visiting a blog post I wrote earlier this year:
Holehird Garden 1st October 2011
This is well worth a visit at any time of the year. It belongs to The Lakeland Horticultural Society, Windermere and is beautifully kept. We haven't been in the springtime yet but look forward to a visit at that time of the year in the future. Suitable for Children and Family viewing
Video Photographs Branklyn Garden Perth Perthshire Scotland
Tour Scotland video of photographs from a visit to Branklyn Garden in Perth, Perthshire. This wonderful Scottish garden has a superb collection of rhododendrons, alpines, and herbaceous and peat‑garden plants and Himalayan blue poppy.
Knockmealdowns Vee Gap
A view from the Vee of the Tipperary countryside.
#Waterford... Lismore Castle and Gardens County Waterford Ireland
Lismore Castle and Gardens County Waterford Ireland
Time-lapse recording of installation of Richard Long sculpture at Lismore Castle
This time-lapse recording was completed over 2 days in 2006
By Richard Wathen and Colin Perry of Tempus Video
© Tempus Video
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