Jo’s Monday walk : Little Ouseburn Open Gardens

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!

…………………………………………………………………………………..

We all need a weekly smile, don’t we?  74!  That’s more than a year of smiling.  Thanks, Lady Lee!

Weekly Smile 74 

Miriam can always find words of encouragement, even in troubled times :

Music in the Air

I remember having mottoes on the wall, in the ‘good old days’.  So does Jackie!

Toronto Textile Museum

Drake has both feet on the ground this week, but there’s magic in the air :

Completely down on earth

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 :

Roros – A Walk back in ‘Mine’

Join Jolandi in the Spanish mountains- it looks blissful!

Walking in The Alpujarras

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 :

Porto – a walking city

While Carol solves a mystery or two in the Lake District :

What the Devil’s Going On?

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 :

Roaming round Rivington

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.

125 comments

  1. Pingback: HMS Victory – Ladyleemanila

  2. What is it about cute fluffy little birds – even when they’re made of stone or concrete? This one served as a perfect start to the tour of the gardens. You reunited me with many of my old favorites, reminders of the unique gifts from the change of the seasons. That dragonfly sculpture was quite nice! Thanks for giving people like me a second view!

    Like

    Reply

      1. The garden images are always a tonic; funny, as much as I loved the spring flower period and was always in the garden or painting the flowers, no one ‘from home’ seems to remember that t send images of wisteria – ha, or even kudzu! once while having lunch with a friend on a campus outdoor restaurant, i stiffened, inhaled and exclaimed, “Kudzu!” and dashed off to find the flowers. They smell like grape bubblegum and make a unique jelly! My friend just laughed and said she never knew that there was a flower, much less one of worth!

        Monday is always a crazy day… things will work out, and in a few days all will be fine. Thanks!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Beautiful photos Joanne, what a gorgeous garden!
    We used to have an “Open garden scheme” in Perth when for a few months every year a couple of gardens would open on weekends, and the entry fee would be donated to the charity of the owner’s choice, but unfortunately the scheme ended last year.

    Like

    Reply

    1. That is a shame, Sami! This one’s been running a long while. Some years we hardly get to visit any- depends on how far away they are and whether we’re busy that weekend. There’s always something to admire. 🙂 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  5. Loved all your photos here Jo. And what a gorgeous little church. I went for a long walk today with my sister in the rain but for a change I took not even one photo. Oh well, next time. Have a great week. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  7. Umm love those lush gardens!
    There are some cottages with roses around the doors close to my place as well… i always wanted to photograph them, but never found the moment 😉 Will definitely soon!
    Thanks for sharing! Have a great week

    Like

    Reply
  9. Pingback: Azur and gold | Le Drake Noir

  10. Nine glorious gardens, plenty of delicious food and beautiful craftwork – what a wonderful day you had, Jo. The flowers are gorgeous. I’ve never tried lacework. It looks so complicated. But I do admire the finished products.

    Like

    Reply

      1. I did a years evening classes of Honiton lace when I was in my twenties and only produced a small flower and a leaf, it was interesting to do, a real patience tester and it made me appreciate the work of the women you made it when candle light was all there was. Wish I knew what happened to my bobbins.

        Like

  13. Pingback: Roaming round Rivington – Life In The Mouse House

    1. It was, as Meg says, a bit of a marathon, Sue, but there was so much to see and enjoy. You and Meg would have been fine on a bench with a cuppa. (I’ll visit you later- almost on my way out of the door 🙂 ) Yay! Rafa! 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. What a marathon of garden-visiting, and all with something amazing to offer. Yet again I’m fixated on the first thing I saw, that lovely robin: but there are plenty of more than acceptable flowers, lacemakers (what an art there is to wielding all those thingummies), and that rose-wreathed cottage. Thank you for another lovely walk, although I doubt I could’ve kept up.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Just the thought of getting my thumbs tangled in those threads, Meg…. 😦 We’d have left you on a bench, chatting companionably over a cuppa. No hurry! 🙂 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    2. Meg reckons we would have been OK on a bench, with a nice cup of tea! Not quite the same thing, though! I can’t see you worn out, given the amount of ground you covered in Warsaw….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. Well yes! I pace myself drastically these days, as you know, and the distance to cover to get to all those gardens would TOTALLY defeat me! Look at my pathetic showing at that old area in Warsaw (name escapes me)

        Like

    1. I thought you might like that, Andrew! Have you ever been? There’s a YouTube video that takes you over the bridge but it was a bit lacklustre and I liked the ticket collector. 🙂 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. Never been Jo. I am going North this weekend, staying first in Bishop Auckland for a night then a caravan for the weekend at Whitley Bay. Sun newspaper vouchers make it such good value. I have made a note of some of your suggestions but our final itnerary depends upon the weather!

        Like

      2. Some of my friends have done Whitley Bay on vouchers and enjoyed it. Keeping fingers crossed for your weather. If you get chance go up to Seaton Delaval Hall. It’s only a couple of miles up the coast. 🙂

        Like

  17. What a walk you have given us this week, Jo. Gardens galore, and I love that cheery robin. Needless to say, the cake element comes as no surprise to us followers! Have a fun week.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I have to say I was almost too worn out to raise a teacup by the end of it. All that eating and chatting, Debs! 🙂 🙂 But it was an excellent aftrenoon.

      Like

      Reply

  18. We have an Open Garden scheme in Bexhill…I’m always so impressed with what people achieve, and their hard work. And the money goes to good causes too! Love the photos, have a great week Jo.

    Like

    Reply

    2. Wondering how they get these Mercedes to breed,
      do they become plants like seeds or are they cuttings. 😀

      So beautiful captured,
      yes agree “they all had something to love”. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  20. Pingback: A Magnum walk – Travel with Intent

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.