Jo’s Monday walk : Coverham Abbey

Coverham Abbey lies on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales in a serene and beautiful spot.  This 13th century former monastery was home to the Norbertines, but was badly damaged in an attack by the Scots in 1331.  Despite this monks remained in residence until 1536, when the abbey was dissolved and converted to a private residence.   In the 18oos Coverham Abbey House was constructed, incorporating some of the monastic features.  The original gatehouse partially survives, along with church ruins around which the garden has been sympathetically designed.

The drive swerves around to a grand entrance, and there you are, looking through the ruins of the church.

The charming knot garden was designed in 2003, but based on a  simple knot drawing in a locally discovered book dating back to 1484.

Not sure what more to expect, you round the corner to be confronted with a pair of carved stone effigies.  The knights are thought to be likenesses of the sons of Helewisia, the foundress of the abbey.

Beyond these, a sequence of delightful garden rooms, with a backdrop of sheep and fields.  A ‘faux’ wall divides opinion.  I quite like it, but my designer husband shakes his head in disapproval.

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Guarding the front of the house, two slender, alert hounds, nose deep in a thrilling concoction of cosmos and tobacco plants.

And around the corner, dining ‘al fresco’, with a colourful touch, and the most perfect of views.

Did you spot the old gatehouse, over the fence, or were you too bedazzled by the sunflowers? They were the most spectacular shades!

I’m going to finish with a flourish, because I like to.  Beyond that ‘faux’ wall lies a vegetable garden with an old conservatory.  Remember my dahlias from Six word Saturday?  I found a few more!

Not too much walking involved this week because it’s a garden visit, but there are ample opportunities in the surrounding hills and vales.  My visit was through the Open Gardens scheme, and there you’ll find all the details you need.

I don’t know if you’ve been counting squares lately?  I needed another 9 to take me to the end of September, and I believe I’ve exceeded that.  Go and have fun with Becky!  She’s loving Square in September.

Just got time to thank you all for your wonderful contributions and support.  Please do find time to read these if you can!  You may make some new friends.  I’m going to pop the kettle on now.  Join me next week?  Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

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First this week, I’d like to introduce you to a lady called Candy.  Please do say hello :

A circular walk around Le Quillio

You know I love a marina!  Come and join Violet for a lovely little stroll :

Following the PE&NS RR!

Big, beautiful Wyoming skies from Janet!  How’s this for a sunset?

End of day

Liesbet continues to explore the neighbourhood.  This week it’s down New Mexico way :

Day Trips around Santa Fe, NM – Los Alamos

Jackie’s always ‘full of beans’, it seems :

Cowboy beans

Poor Ann Christine!  Loaded with cold and now the computer crashes.  She needs a soft landing place :

Can I please come in for a crash landing…

Kathrin takes us 2,000ft up to look down on sunny California :

Mission Peak Hike

Have you met the Rambling Wombat?

Bangalley Head Walk

Denzil’s spoiling us this week.  Choice of ten!

10 Woodland Walks

Here’s a lady you all know and love- it’s Jude, of course!

Yorkshire Sculpture Park : Part One

A favourite lady in a favourite city- Becky with some superb views :

Discovering Porto’s panoramic views

And let’s not forget one of my favourite gents.  I’m pretty sure Drake is not a vertigo sufferer :

High line

Surf’s up over at Woolly’s and he’s captured some great shots :

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk37_Surf-Coast

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Italian Lakes.  Find a little peace and sanctuary there with Mari :

Lake Orta’s Walk of Silence & Meditation

Just made it this week!  So many flowers!  Hope you enjoyed it, and have a great week everybody.

 

137 comments

  1. I don’t think I’ll bother travelling any more, you take me to so many beautiful places that I feel satiated with travel. Stunning photos, lovely texts, comfy armchair and a glass of wine, what more do I want?

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  4. So magnificent that I just want to be right there! Love the combination of the architecture with the landscaped beds, really beautiful. Ahhh those flowers. Simply gorgeous! The first one that looks like an artichoke, is that a thistleflower? Stunning photos, thanks for sharing.
    Peta

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    1. They’ve done a really great job blending old and new, I think, Peta. 🙂 🙂 Yes, it’s a variety of thistle. Good old England, hey? Bit wet today, but I enjoyed your company.

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    1. It’s only a mile or two from Middleham Castle, which you may have heard of, Lisa. It’s racehorse country. There’s not much access to the Abbey so I was especially pleased to visit the Open Gardens event. 🙂 🙂 How are things with you?

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  11. Another happy discovery Jo – the tour round the garden is delightful. The knot garden is charming and the flowers gorgeous. I like the touches of the past with some of the old ruins being incorporated into the modern design. The little terrace looks the perfect spot for a cuppa too! Hope you have a lovely week! 🙂

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    1. I usually check the Open Gardens site each weekend and I was thrilled when this one was open. A real treat! 🙂 🙂 Back to rain this week but only 2 weeks to go till the Algarve so I’m still smiling. You ok?

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      1. Yes thanks Jo – it’s school holidays here so my daughter’s not working (being a teacher). We spent yesterday at the WA Aquarium with the little ones – great fun but recovering today! We have had an cold and wet few days – most unseasonable! I am about to rug up and take the dog for a walk. You must be looking forward to the Algarve! 🙂

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  12. Jo, your post has me smiling with this wonderful of colourful and vibrant blooms – they feel like they’re in 3-D and I’m almost reaching out to touch them. What is the top one? A type of thistle? Your sunflower one is stunning and proof that flowers don’t need to be in their prime to be wonderful and dramatic to view. They compete for attention though with the atmospheric ruins – the knot garden with the few remaining arches is so eye-catching. A wonderful and joy of a post for this grey Monday morning! 😀😃

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    1. Grey and damp here too, so it’s nice to be able to bring a bit of colour. 🙂 🙂 Yes, a posh thistle 🙂 I never saw such a display of sunflowers, even though many were past their best. Have a good week, hon!

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    1. I have to say I don’t think I spotted any dogs other than the stone ones 🙂 🙂 It will tell you on the Open Gardens link though. Main drawback is it only opens to the public a couple of times a year. I was lucky 🙂

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  15. Another splendid walk, and you maintain a high standard in choice of lead photo. I love the hounds and the knot garden particularly, but there are butterflies and flowers for my pleasure too. I hope your week is a beauty: my Queensland son arrives on Thursday for a few days so I’m looking forward to they.

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    1. Hello darlin 🙂 🙂 I was just about to pop to yours. Bit slow off the mark this last day or so! (tennis! 🙂 🙂 ) Glad you approve the ‘lead’. I did toy with knot garden but I did like this one. It was all alone, just inside the gate. 😦 Drab here today but having coffee with the ‘lasses’ later. 🙂 Take good care!

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  16. Good morning Jo; I love how someone has closely “tied” the knot garden to the pillars of the ruins. Faux wall looks fine to me; lots of nooks and crannies for hibernating butterflies coming from the beautiful garden. Thanks x10 for adding my walks!

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    1. You’re very welcome, Candy! Sorry I’ve not been back to yours but I will. Gets hectic sometimes 🙂 🙂 This garden isn’t open to the public often so it was a joy to see it.

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