Visit to Capel Manor Gardens

Lovely pics... added to GoYpedia Show Gardens..
Glad you all enjoyed your day out :o)

How lovely - we have a horticultural college here in west London - Norwood Hall, but let me tell you, it's nowhere near as interesting as far as the grounds are concerned, no layouts like this. I studied my RHS course there, and the grounds aren't that extensive, but I always felt they could do more with them - and get us students to do it rather than doing endless blasted conifer cuttings in the greenhouses. This place looks fabulous in comparison, wish I lived nearer.

Sheila, this is lovely, i do like to see different ideas, i love that cornus, the fountain and the japanese house.
My Dad came from Enfield so I think i would particularly like to visit there!

Thank you Terra, Bamboo and Sticki - yes, I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

that looks like an amazing place to visit Sheila...I love all those little gardens...realistic and give you great ideas too. Wandering around massive gardens with huge borders is wonderful, but I don't get many ideas from them...except of course the idea of moving to a bigger garden!!! lol xx

Ha ha Karen - be careful what you wish for . . . think of your poor joints, lol! But I agree - I love to see the originality and imagination that some designers exhibit.

..yes, I know...the joints! too true! Actually, I would be quite content with a small courtyard if it was totally private and I could hear the birds singing in the morning....I often think that a with a really small space you can invest more cash to really make it special...whereas I have spent loads of money on plants just to fill it up and create some privacy. I mean, nobody really NEEDS eighty-odd clematis do they? lol ;))

Thank you Sheila for posting the pics - I was a student there just recently - taking a garden design course. Finished it last year. And in summer working for Which?Gardening. Every lunchtime I spend in the garden with my camera - your blog brings many wonderful memories:) Spend really fantastic 2 years there. Learned a lot, have seen gardens changing throughout the season - something I will never forget;-)
And highly recommend the day out there:)

How wonderful Kasy . . . what a great place to work, as you say seeing the changing seasons.

And I've just been watching the LOVELY programme about the Lost Gardens of Heligan, with the wildlife that appears after the visitors have gone . . . fantastic to see the badgers and foxes, especially with their young!

That looks a great place for a visit, thankyou Sheila for showing the photo`s.....
I`m going to watch Heligan when daughter has gone bed.....

I watched it too - lovely program, then I realised philippa forrester was involved and I think it was possibly her husband doing the camera work. Philippa has written a lovely book called 'The River';
Now watching who do you think you are with j k Rowling - very interesting.

Sorry Sheila, bit off the subject.

This looks like a lovely place for a visit, Sheila, although it must feel a bit strange going on a visit not having organised it yourself!

Sheilabub - I could kick myself! I lived about 10 minutes' drive away from Capel Manor for about 15 years but, as I wasn't so much 'into' gardening then as I am now - I never took the opportunity to visit! Now I'm too far away to do anything useful about it and have no family living near it which would have created a visit! I hate missed opportunities! :o( On the bright side, glad you and your friends had a lovely time there. :o)

Thanks Lin, and I'm sure you'll love the programme.

You're right, Sticki, it was "Philippa's" husband doing the photography (which was brilliant, wasn't it?); and I'll look out for that book (might be a good one for OH's birthday, coming up soon).

Very astute of you Libet! Actually it was good because it HAD been my suggestion some months ago, but it was relaxing as I wasn't in charge. :))

Thanks Nariz. Maddening for you, but at least now you've seen a bit of the gardens. :(

Lovely pics from Capel Manor, Sheila ... no matter what the season! I like the gravel garden ... just proves lawn doesn't always need to be present .. have you seen all the pics Okasia posted when she was studying there? ... I think she completed her course and went in search of work . . . . .

http://www.amazon.co.uk/River-Philippa-Forrester/dp/0752856855

i think this was the one sheila.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Halcyon-River-Diaries-Philippa-Forrester/dp/1848092253

but this is even more tempting ~ im not sure how similar they are but if i had the choice it would be this that i would go for!!

Oooh thanks Shirley - I will have a look for Okasia's pics. And thank you Sticki for the link.