I promised you a gentle stroll this week, far from the bustle of the city. Burton Agnes, in East Yorkshire, will deliver in spades. I can find you a bench or two to loiter on, and maybe a game of chess or snakes and ladders. Too taxing? You can do what I did, and simply stand and smile.
There’s much to smile about at this Elizabethan stately home. The elegant facade looks over a sweeping expanse of the Yorkshire wolds, but the owners have retained a sense of playfulness in the gardens. They are a joy to behold.
When I was there they were setting up a grand marquee for the July jazz event. The weather was steamy, as it rarely is in England, and the ice cream vendor was in full flow. Or should I say scoop?
You’ll know by now that I have a thing for water lilies and reflective surfaces. I could have played all day.
Gryphons, lions, statuary, all come as standard in these formal gardens.
But come on! We’ve mosaics and a rose garden yet to explore.
Can you see what lies beyond the rose arbour? Anyone for chess? Or draughts? Maybe the ladies would be better at snakes and ladders.
The rooms lead one to another, with tantalising glimpses of distraction. The reflections soon entrance me all over again.
The roses smell wonderful and I bury my nose deep into their luscious beauty.
‘I’ve found an elephant’, says the other half. Really? And a very endearing creature he is too.
It’s such a delightful garden, with so many aspects. Do you remember the wire mesh gardener tending his veg? He’s here too.
I believe there’s an Open Day for charity, so I can join Jude’s Garden Challenge this month. I expect she’ll be disappointed there’s no cake, but I have a good reason. This was the second garden we visited that day and we’d already eaten. It was quite a long way from home, but well worth the journey. I’ll show you the other garden soon. That was a water lily bonanza!
A closer look at these gardens and instructions on how to get there are on the website. I’m off to put the kettle on for breakfast.
Many thanks to all of you for being such loyal supporters. Every week I’m delighted by the contributions you make to my walks. If you’d like to join me and haven’t done so it’s easy enough. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. If I spot a good walk when I’m reading posts, I’ll simply ask if I can include it. We have some great ones again this week.
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Starting with some beautiful gardens from Lady Lee :
Cathy takes us to a stately home in the US, as well as it’s lovely garden :
Winterthur Museum, garden & library : a Delaware country estate
I’m discovering that Jackie is rather fond of history!
A hot, prickly walk from Ana. And keep an eye out for rattlers! Heavens!
The trail to Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park
Liesbet uses camping as a means to an end- ‘roaming about’, of course :
The Art of Being Flexible (and Realistic)
I always like something a bit different in my walks. How about this one? Thanks, Shazza!
A great one for the bird watchers from Denzil this week (paying attention Becky?) :
Het Zwin Nature Park on the Belgian Coast
This is a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and a very beautiful post from Maris Travels :
The Pyrenees are equally beautiful, especially if you’re with my good friend Drake :
Warsaw street life and a fantasy of umbrellas – it’s Meg, of course!
Vignettes from a morning walk-6
Meet newcomer to my walks, Stephanie and the crew of S.V. Cambria, with a bit of a mystery :
A Walk on the Wild Side/Downtown Ocean Falls
Yvette embraces summer with her usual enthusiasm, and beautiful Crepe Myrtle :
Street Shots (#summer2016 a to z Letter S) summer walk with Jo
Come and be nosy with Susan (and me) while we look over a few fences :
Some people keep on dangling serious temptation my way. You know who you are, Carol!
Becky and birds are synonymous, aren’t they? Even in Lymington, it seems :
Didn’t get very far because of the birdies
That’s it for another week. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did. Now, where can I take you next week? Take care till then.
restlessjo 
I suddenly realized I has somehow missed this week’s walk, and had to go back to your blog and find it. This looked like a wonderful garden walk – I really can’t decide what I liked the most! The flowers were gorgeous – especially those water lilies. And the statuary was great as well. That little elephant was so cute! I had a great time seeing everything through your eyes, Jo. As always, thanks for sharing!
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I’ve seen some beautiful gardens this year, Susan, and I’m hoping Summer isn’t over yet. Thanks so much for your company. I do appreciate it 🙂 🙂
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What a lovely walk, Jo! I love the mosaic and that it is so old!! Miss this kind of history here… Beautiful reflections and flowers as well.
I have a new ramble to share, I was rather lazy on my blogging over the summer 😉 But Crater Lake was so stunning!! https://coellefornia.me/2016/08/14/my-weekly-ramble-11/ Have a wonderful Monday walk tomorrow!
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It’s such a beautiful garden. Glad you liked it, and thanks for the ramble. 🙂
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What a delightful garden Jo! Sorry I’ve arrived so late in the day for my visit – am not sure where this week has gone and then my computer started doing some really weird things this afternoon but I seem to have fixed it now! 🙂 I love the yellow roses (think this was the garden you were talking about a while ago?) and the colours – it’s all so pretty. Must read up about the jazz festival too – our daughter in London works in Music PR for primarily the jazz/blues/modern soul genre (so this would be right up her street!). Hope all’s well with you and yours and you have a lovely weekend! 🙂
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No worries darlin! Having fun xx
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🙂 🙂
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Just the walk I needed this morning – to take my mind off the blustery rainy ‘summer’ Scottish weather that we are having today. The flowers are very pretty, and I love the water lilies , especially the deep pinky-red one.
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I’m down at Skipton in the Dales this morning Elaine. Mixed weather but we’ve seen a little sun. Happy weekend xx
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I like Skipton – based on a short visit, but only to the town centre, not the surrounding area.
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What a magical place! I think I’d like to visit one cloudy day too – it has such an atmospheric feel.
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Thanks Mandy. It was one of the loveliest gardens I’ve been to and goodness knows I’ve seen a few x
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Those roses! I can smell them from here. I have a thing for water lilies and reflections too – can never get enough. Beautiful garden:).
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It really is the most beautiful garden, Corey. So glad you could share it with me. 🙂
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I love the geese sculptures, Jo. Are you up for a wander and a gander at the Old Town of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana?
https://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/the-streets-of-ljubljana-old-town-slovenia/
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It’s on my list, Jaspa, and I’m hopeful that maybe someday…? 🙂 🙂 Those geese have been very popular.
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To be honest, I thought they were topiary at first glance, Jo!
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I am gaga for reflections and yours did not disappoint. Thank you for an introduction to these lovely grounds 😍
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Hi Lisa! 🙂 I did have fun with these, and for once the other half wasn’t standing tapping his toes waiting. He was off with his nose stuck in the roses 🙂 🙂
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More and more beauties. You keep finding treasures and photographing them so beautifully, flower shots and reflections particularly. You’ve also harvested a great collection of other people’s walks.
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Hiya darlin 🙂 🙂 It really has been a great summer for gardens. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve 🙂 And it’s so nice that people keep on walking with me. Rainy hugs!
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Rain for you too? It’s coming down again now.
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Wellie weather! I don’t care. I’ve just booked an overnight stay at Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales for Friday- yet another wedding anniversary 🙂 🙂 Hopefully it will be dry by then.
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That girl under a tree in the pond!!! Just kept looking and looking at her. Touching in its vulnerability. But also a good scene for a horror movie! Oh, and water lilies of course – gosh, those flowers are gorgeous!
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I know, Elena! There was some compelling statuary 🙂 And fabulous flowers!
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You have so many wonderful walks Jo! Love the beautiful gardens!
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Super gardens, Nicole, and some still to come 🙂 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
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