After one of the most miserable winters in memory it’s a real joy to look forward to some very special Open Gardens Events in June.
Jasper Conran’s Bettiscombe Manor will be opening for a limited number of visitors on Thursday June 13th from 2 – 5pm. There are only 30 tickets available priced at £60 per ticket. Pre booking is essential, please visit ngs.org.uk for information, directions and booking. At 3.30pm there will be afternoon teas in the village hall, to include homemade salmon and cucumber sandwiches, strawberries, homemade cakes, tea and champagne and elderflower presse.
Jasper Conran has given one of England’s loveliest smaller houses, Bettiscombe Manor, a garden to match, with orchards, mellow brick enclosures, and broad beds flanking an unforgettable view of the Marshwood Vale, looking down to the sea. In a quiet corner of rural Dorset, his 17th-century house is surrounded by an informal, flower-filled garden that reflects the designer’s predilection for constantly evolving and creative planting.
This exclusive special afternoon event will be hosted by Jasper’s Head Gardener, Midori. It includes a talk from Midori on the gardens and how they have evolved to empathetically embrace and work within the surrounding landscape. Midori will also provide a background to how the garden has been created, as well as its ongoing development and provide further detail on what is growing in the garden currently.
Another special event in June is the opening of Wyke Farm in Chedington near Beaminster. The home of Alex and Robert Appleby it will be open on Sunday June 23rd from 1 – 5pm. Admission is £25 per person with children free. Pre booking is essential, please visit ngs.org.uk for information, directions and booking. There will be home made teas in the barn by the white courtyard garden.
The Applebys are both fanatical about rewilding, environmental conservation and preservation of the natural habitat. They have lived at Wyke Farm for almost 20 years and in this time have worked hard to empathically restore the land to include a substantial wildflower meadow at the front of the house, and a large lake and woodland area.
A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special one day rewilding event. Meet at the front of the house on the main drive for an introductory talk and guided tour with ecologist, Tom Brereton, who has supported the Applebys on their work at Wyke Farm.
The garden will be open on Thursday June 27th from 2.30 – 5pm. Admission is £25 per person with children free. Pre booking is essential, please visit ngs.org.uk for information, directions and booking. After the tour home-made teas will be served in the barn.
The Bodens bought Wytherston in 2005 and since then they and their fantastic team have tried to encourage wild flowers in both their garden and in the meadows surrounding the farm, which makes for a breathtaking display. They have also maintained the gardens around the house, which include deep herbaceous borders, roses and formal topiary structure interspersed with bright floral colour. A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special event, kindly hosted by Johnnie, who will give a talk and guided tour through the wildflower garden and meadows. Please meet in the Tithe Barn at 2.30pm prompt. Plenty of parking. Dogs are very welcome.
Entries may be subject to change—for directions and latest information please check www.ngs.org.uk
