Open Gardens

2016 marks the 300th anniversary of landscape artist Lancelot “Capability” Brown, whose designs changed the face of of 18th century England. Born in Northumberland in 1716, he learnt the skills of horticulture and husbandry from the age of 16, as an apprentice on the Wallington estate. His vision was extraordinary and over the course of 40 years he moved gardens away from formal design to a style that is unmistakably his.

Brown persuaded the rich and famous to invest in landscapes which were beautiful, productive, and would take a century to mature. He designed on an immense scale, moving hills and making flowing lakes that resembled artificial rivers. His work frequently produced an Arcadian idyll. Sadly I have never visited Stowe in Buckinghamshire, his best known work, but he was involved in the design of over 250 sites throughout the UK.

Scampston Hall in North Yorkshire sits beside the busy A64 road. Wandering serenely across the estate you might never know. A lazy sheep or two blink, and turn their backs. The grounds at Scampston were redesigned by Capability in the 1770’s. They bear all the hallmarks of his work. A ‘ha ha’, or sunken fence, to confuse the eye, carefully planted trees and an expansive lake that resembles a river running off into infinity.

Oddly enough, I didn’t come to Scampston in search of the Palladian Bridge, but I think that Paula might like it for her Traces of the past. The lure of the Walled Garden is the ‘new European garden style’, designed in 1999 by Piet Oudolf. 1999 no longer feels new but I did find enchantment in the drifts of Molinia grass. Here is a small sample of what you might find.

There’s much more, of course. You can do some hedge trimming, or even have a cream tea.

But you can’t beat Capability and a few Marsh Marigolds, can you?

I’m not sure if Scampston Walled Garden fits with Jude’s Garden Challenge, but I know she’ll like it. That’s reason enough, isn’t it?

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 :

Packwood Gardens

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 history lesson

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!