During the Summer months I like to visit an Open Garden or two, if I get the chance. The promise of a whole village in an area I know not at all was simply too good to miss. Situated just 5 miles from Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, Little Ouseburn was ripe for exploring.
It wasn’t an especially nice day, weatherwise, but at least it was dry. A field had been set aside for parking and a minibus was available to transport you through the village- helpful for the less mobile as it proved to be an extremely long village, but an easy walk for the fit. A £5 donation to the village charity bought you a map and details of participating gardens. Time to head for the bridge!
Beneath the bridge flowed a little stream. A connection to the River Ouse, I wondered? But before I could speculate more I came upon the Holy Trinity Church and its mausoleum. A Grade 1 listed building, I was charmed by the interior. Maps and newspaper articles were laid out, detailing the history of the village. An exhibition of lace making was taking place, and the ladies were more than happy to chat about their accomplishments.
In an alcove, steps mounted precariously to the bell ringers hideaway. It brought to mind Bath Abbey and my ascent of the tower. It was quite hard to tear myself away from the church, but there were 9 gardens to visit. Over a field and a right turn brought you onto the main street of the village. Ever wanted a cottage with roses around the door?
Opposite the village hall, where you could partake of everything from a pot of tea to a three course Sunday lunch, delightful Plantation Cottage.
A tumble of clematis were the star of the show, while stately lilies looked on. The lady of the house relaxed on the patio with her toddler, keeping a wary eye on the clouds. Back on the street there were floral distractions aplenty.
Broadlands Bungalow delivered a stunning iris or three, an array of coleums and a confusion of wisteria, poppies and a sparkling rhododendron.
At Broadlands Farm a tea party was in full swing on the back lawn. I couldn’t possibly be a party pooper but I can’t show you the evidence. It was a little tricky balancing the tray and eating the cake. In fact, apart from the chirpy robin at the beginning of the post, I took very few photos there.
I looked wistfully toward the book stall in the doorway of The Old Chapel, but time was pressing on. Orchard House next, for a lovely old stone wall with alliums, more, sumptuous irises and beautifully burgeoning peonies.
The village green had a plant stall, BBQ, icecream and cupcakes. Nobody was going home hungry! At the very far end of the village, Hazel House had a modern garden, with a sunken circular dining area.
Broomfield Cottage had bags of personality and a very friendly owner. A tree surgeon by trade, he sat feeding his log burner, happy to chat about his collection of rare trees and his vegetable garden.
Paddock Cottage had a rather Zen feel and a number of metal sculptures, the aspect to the rear of lawn tennis courts and open countryside.
Just two to go, at Hill Top Cottage the lawn is sheltered by a scintillation of colourful shrubs, some of my favourites.
Lastly, the ‘big’ house, The Old Granary. Approached by an imposing drive, it had the feel of a grande dame. An ultra modern extension had been added and a hedge of pleached horn beams. Not really my cup of tea, but then, I wasn’t invited in.
Value for money and a good afternoon out? I think so. I almost forgot to tell you that the name Little Ouseburn does have associations with the River Ouse. The original source of the Ouse is marked by a stone in the neighbouring village of Great Ouseburn.
Visit Little Ouseburn Open Gardens for details of how to get there. The homeward jouney I found intriguing because we crossed the toll bridge at Aldwark, at a cost of 40p! I didn’t even know it existed till then, but there’s a neat little story about the ticket collector here.
Dashing around trying to fit all the walks in this morning! There are heaps and some wonderful ones, so please try to visit as many as you can. Many thanks to you all! Details of how to join me are over on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Definitely time for a cuppa now!
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We all need a weekly smile, don’t we? 74! That’s more than a year of smiling. Thanks, Lady Lee!
Miriam can always find words of encouragement, even in troubled times :
I remember having mottoes on the wall, in the ‘good old days’. So does Jackie!
Drake has both feet on the ground this week, but there’s magic in the air :
Please go and meet Sheri, and learn a little more about Vancouver :
A Walking Tour of Vancouver’s Hidden Past
Dawn has been lingering by some lovely windows this month. Don’t forget her challenge!
A Lingering Look at Windows- June Bonus Week
Amanda takes us back in time, in Norway :
Join Jolandi in the Spanish mountains- it looks blissful!
Or how about the little known Jura area of France, with Food is Travel?
The trail of the perched cat in Dole, France
Wonderful memories of a city I love, brought back to life for me by Becky :
While Carol solves a mystery or two in the Lake District :
Beautiful blooms from Susan, in New York City :
Central Park’s Conservatory Garden in the Spring
And a fabulous seven-arched bridge in the company of Eunice :
Ending on an absolute high with a garden post that puts mine to shame. Stunning work, Jude!
Garden Portrait : Dartington Hall
Phew! Just about made it this week! Thanks again everybody. Take good care and I’ll see you soon.
restlessjo 
Lovely to explore with you. Open gardens is such a great idea and have visited some interesting ones hidden away in London!
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Whenever we can we like to do this. There are loads of lovely gardens out there and it always feels nice to have a ‘private’ viewing. 🙂 🙂
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oh what a lovely village, and what a great way to open up the gardens. Noone gets overwhelmed by visitors. .. . I wonder if they all sneak around each others though the week before to check out the competition!!
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I think they’ve mostly been doing it for a lot of years Becky so they’ll have a good idea. How are you doing? X
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Doing ok . . . still such a feeling of release, and now mostly remembering the happy memories 🙂
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That’s good. There will be plenty of them xx
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🙂
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Beautiful pics!
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Thanks a lot x
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Looks like such an interesting place. I specifically loved the flowers’ shot . Incredible blog 😄
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Thank you very much for your kind comments. 🙂 🙂
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What a super garden. I love all those different types of poppy. Here’s a walk you might like to add to your list for Monday Jo. Thanks and best wishes. https://discoveringbelgium.com/2017/06/17/the-valley-of-the-hermeton/
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Thanks a lot Denzil. I’m in Nottingham with my daughter for the weekend. I’ve scheduled a Monday walk but have limited Wifi and will probably have to keep your walk for the following week. Enjoy your weekend x
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Beautiful place. So many bright flowers. And a bird on the first photo looks like an alive.
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It’s a lovely village Victor. And the gardens are happy with the weather x
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Great post, with some really gorgeous photos. Their vibrant colours cheered me up on a gloomy Sydney afternoon, sitting at work, bored. 😦
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Oh dear! 😦 Sitting at home on an equally grey ‘Summer’ morning, wondering where the nice weather went. But at least I have a visit to my daughter to look forward to. 🙂 🙂 Have a good weekend, Karen!
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I’ve never thought about how lace is made. It looks more difficult than I imagined. Who ever came up with such an intricate craft?
Oh, springtime!! Such beautiful clematis, irises, and poppies. And you take such sharp, colorful photos.
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Isn’t it just the perfect place to lose yourself, Nicki? 🙂 🙂 In all that colour!
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Oh Jo, I so needed this refreshing virtual escape from my stifling concrete jungle. What a riot of colour. The Zen garden is my favourite.
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The metal sculptures were lovely in the Zen but there was something soothing for everyone. And tea, of course! 🙂 🙂
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What a lovely day of discoveries…spoilt with gardens and food! The lace makers caught my eye and I wonder how on earth anyone manages to make sense of those spindles (? I’m not sure this is the word). Intricate beyond belief and I’m in total awe of them! Did you have a go, Jo? The Rose Cottage is idyllic, such a dream house whilst I did like the modern garden of Hazel House – a split personality here?! 😀😃 Many thanks for sharing these gardens and your day with us – a joy to tag along! 😀
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Gilly (Lucid Gypsy 🙂 ) says she used to do lacemaking, Annika. I’ve got more thumbs than fingers so there’s no way I could make it happen. 🙂 There were several houses I wouldn’t have minded trying on for size but nobody offered. 😦 Always lovely to have your company.
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Beautiful! I do like the sound of the tea party. Tea in the garden always feels like a treat 🙂
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Whenever the weather cooperates, Cheryl 🙂 🙂
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How I envy the many gardens and countryside nooks and crannies for you to explore, Jo. England is a wealth of natural beautiful and you’ve captured this garden so well. Love the roses climbing up the cottages and the peonies ready to burst. Your photographs are fabulous…you could make this entire post into a charming coffee table book. Love it.
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The mix of lots of rain and a little sunshine seems to have really suited the gardens this year, Elisa. Our own is growing like crazy. I was just out trimming back and playing around with some photos of oriental poppies that I love. 🙂 Thank you so much, hon. On that other note, I’m going to be in the Algarve for part of Wimbledon fortnight. How will I cope with no TV? 🙂 🙂
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Thanks for taking me on the walk it made me feel very summery! I love the church, it looks like something from a Jane Austen novel
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Yes, it’s beautifully preserved, Ting. Summer arrived here this afternoon. I hope it stays a little while. 🙂 🙂
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