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Close to London but with its own unique character, Essex is perhaps England’s best kept secret - with a ESSEX beautiful coastline, rolling countryside and exquisite villages. It is a little known fact that over seventy per cent g ( ea ea of Essex is rural. There are wide horizons, ancient woodlands n- n- we ze ze 14 -S -S -o 3 -o h h 55 odbrid 108 ea B ea and hamlets pierced by flint church spires. Volunteers on on ic ic ( -S -S ea ea

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Monday 22nd Langley Village Miraflores 43 Saturday 6th Wednesday 14th Hilldrop 28 Tudor Roost 63 Gardens 34 Parsonage House 47 16 Maida Way 39 Long House Plants 36 October Horkesley Hall 29 OPENING Tudor Roost 63 Wendens Ambo Jericho Cottage Friday 26th Gardens 70 Sunday 7th Friday 16th Every Thursday and (Megarry’s Antiques u Beeleigh Abbey Monday 27th Chippins 10 8 Dene Court 12 DATES N Friday to Friday 4th 31 Gardens 4 Fairwinds 16 1 Whitehouse Fudlers Hall 19 Dragons 13 & Teashop) 73 Feeringbury Manor 17 32 All entries subject 30 Glenwood Avenue 21 Rookwoods 51 Cottages 262 Hatch Road 25 Keeway to change. For latest 78 33 79 Royston Avenue 52 Wychwood Hilldrop 28 Sunday 18th Saturday 12th Kelvedon Hall information check Saturday 27th 262 Main Road 40 u Green Island 22 Long House Plants 36 Tudor Roost 63 Tuesday 18th Little Myles 35 www.ngs.org.uk St Helens 54 N 37 Washlands 69 8 Dene Court 12 Washlands 69 Friday 23rd Longyard Cottage Extended openings are Sunday 28th Jericho Cottage 8 Dene Court 12 262 Main Road 40 shown at the beginning December 30 Glenwood Avenue 21 Wednesday 29th (Megarry’s Antiques Friday 12th Miraflores 43 of the month. The Punchbowl 50 Elwy Lodge 14 Saturday 24th 44 30 Sandford Road 55 & Teashop) 31 Monks Cottage N 23 New Road 46 Saturday 7th 76 Monkswood Avenue, Map locator numbers South Shoebury Hall 60 Friday 31st Saturday 13th 14 Una Road 67 are shown to the right Ulting Wick 66 8 Dene Court 12 Saturday 22nd 69 Rundells – Sunday 25th Waltham Abbey N 41 of each garden name. Dragons 13 9 Malyon Road The Secret Garden 53 N 23 New Road 46 Saturday 14th Group Gardens 68 49 18 Pettits Boulevard 14 Una Road 67 14 Una Road 67 Moverons 45 Monday 26th N 23 New Road 46 May Sunday 23rd Ulting Wick 66 February June Field Cottage 18 Sunday 14th Old Bell Cottage, Langley Elwy Lodge 14 By Arrangement Every Thursday Fudlers Hall 19 Village Gardens 34 Snowdrop Festival Barnards Farm 3 N 61 Humber Every Thursday N Halfway Haley’s 23 Arrange a personalised Peacocks 48 Sunday 17th Barnards Farm 3 Avenue 30 September Every Thursday N 9 Malyon Road 41 garden visit with your Piercewebbs, N Longyard Cottage 37 14 Una Road 67 club, or group of friends, and Friday Every Thursday 18 Pettits Boulevard 49 Every Thursday Clavering Gardens 11 on a date to suit you. See Tuesday 19th Feeringbury Manor 17 and Friday 30 Sandford Road 55 Tuesday 16th and Friday Rookwoods 51 Horkesley Hall 29 Feeringbury Manor 17 Two Cottages 65 8 Dene Court 12 Feeringbury Manor 17 individual garden entries 69 Rundells - The Secret Wednesday 1st Washlands 69 Dragons 13 for full details. Garden 53 Wednesday 20th Furzelea 20 Saturday 1st Sunday 1st St Helens 54 Dragons 13 The White Garden 72 Barnards Farm 3 Boreham Gardens 7 Wednesday 17th 254 Ashurst Drive 2 Shrubs Farm 58 Friday 3rd 54 Writtle Gardens 76 Long House Plants 36 Waltham Abbey Sunday 24th 66 St Helens Barnards Farm 3 Silver Birches, Waltham Ulting Wick Group Gardens 68 Horkesley Hall 29 Sunday 2nd Wednesday 26th Saturday 20th Caynton Cottage, Abbey Group Saturday 4th Boreham Gardens 7 Keeway 32 262 Main Road 40 Friday 6th Boreham Gardens 7 Gardens 68 N West End Furzelea 20 14 Una Road 67 Ulting Wick 66 Chippins 10 Snares Hill Cottage 59 Cottage 71 Friday 28th March Havendell 26 8 Dene Court 12 South Shoebury Hall 60 8 Dene Court 12 Sunday 21st Sunday 8th Dragons 13 Strandlands 62 Saturday 16th Sunday 5th Waltham Abbey Ulting Wick 66 Brightlingsea Gardens 9 8 Dene Court 12 Furzelea 20 62 Eastbrook Road, 63 u The Beth Chatto Group Gardens 68 262 Hatch Road 25 Dragons 13 Tudor Roost u Green Island 22 Saturday 29th Waltham Abbey Group 37 Turpins Lane 64 Gardens 5 St Helens 54 14 Una Road 67 Horkesley Hall 29 Tuesday 4th Gardens 68 Two Cottages 65 Monday 6th 8 Dene Court 12 Tudor Roost 63 Parsonage House 47 Friday 26th Elwy Lodge 14 Ulting Wick 66 Clavering Gardens 11 u Spencers 61 8 Dene Court 12 Fairwinds 16 April Wickets 74 Friday 7th Sunday 30th N Woodburn Waltham Abbey Elwy Lodge 14 Feeringbury Manor 17 Barnards Farm 3 Sunday 28th Cottage 75 Group Gardens 68 Every Thursday Field Cottage 18 Sunday 12th Miraflores 43 30 Glenwood Avenue 21 Writtle University Washlands 69 Elwy Lodge 14 Sunday 9th N Fudlers Hall 19 from Thursday 18th Blake Hall 6 4 Shepherds N Harwich Gardens 24 College 77 Wickets 74 Barnards Farm 3 Sandy Lodge 56 Furzelea 20 Horkesley Hall 29 Close 57 South Shoebury Hall 60 Wychwood 78 30 Glenwood Avenue 21 Friday 17th Miraflores 43 u Spencers 61 37 Turpins Lane 64 Wednesday 11th Every Thursday and Furzelea 20 39 Halfhides, Waltham Wycke Farm 79 Moverons 45 Tudor Roost 63 Friday 64 Long House Plants 36 Abbey Group Feeringbury Manor 17 Peacocks 48 37 Turpins Lane Sunday 19th Two Cottages 65 August Gardens 68 N 5 Fairfield Road 15 N West End Cottage 71 Saturday 14th Saturday 13th 18 Pettits Boulevard 49 Ardleigh Gardens 1 The White Garden 72 Tuesday 11th Every Thursday Loxley House 38 N 1 Whitehouse Braxted Park Estate 8 July Barnards Farm 3 Sunday 15th Cottages 73 Furzelea 20 Sunday 14th Wycke Farm 79 Wednesday 12th Every Thursday Tuesday 6th N Halfway Haley’s 23 8 Dene Court 12 Ardleigh Gardens 1 Long House Plants 36 Barnards Farm 3 18 Pettits Boulevard 49 Wednesday 22nd Dragons 13 Tuesday 16th 8 Dene Court 12 Friday 14th Every Thursday Sunday 22nd 8 Dene Court 12 Jericho Cottage Dragons 13 and Friday Saturday 10th Sandy Lodge 56 N N 23 New Road 46 (Megarry’s Antiques Writtle University Haytor 27 Feeringbury Manor 17 Tudor Roost 63 Wednesday 25th & Teashop) 31 College 77 Sunday 16th Friday 5th Dragons 13 Elwy Lodge 14 Sunday 11th Sunday 21st Sunday 26th 8 Dene Court 12 N Haytor 27 N 23 New Road 46 Sunday 29th Tudor Roost 63 Chippins 10 Keeway 32 N 61 Humber Tudor Roost 63 u The Beth Chatto Field Cottage 18 Avenue 30 Gardens 5 192 ESSEX ESSEX 193

arrangement for groups of 5 4 u BEELEIGH ABBEY have a large Tearoom overlooking covered wall and perennial border to 20. Adm £3.50. Home-made GARDENS the Gravel Garden and Nursery, GROUP OPENING greets you, a raised bed vegetable THE GARDENS teas. Abbey Turning, Beeleigh, Maldon, offering homemade breakfasts, garden, perennial island beds and Bird friendly colour filled town CM9 6LL. Christopher & lunches and teas. It is also fully 7 BOREHAM GARDENS pond with shrub bank. A buttercup garden with interesting nooks Catherine Foyle, 07506 867122, licensed. Disabled WC & parking. Boreham, Chelmsford, CM3 3EF. meadow, bordered by a camellia GROUP OPENING and crannies each telling a story. www.visitmaldon.co.uk/beeleigh- Wheelchair access around all of 4m NE Chelmsford. Take B1137 and rhododendron woodland the gardens - on gravel or grass Boreham Village, turn into Church 1 Contains 7 water features, 6 seating abbey. 1m NW of Maldon. Leaving walk. The new garden at Caynton ARDLEIGH GARDENS areas, waterfall, pond and stream, Maldon via London Road take 1st R (concrete in Nursery, Giftshop and Rd at Lion Inn. Caynton Cottage is Cottage has been designed and ½ Colchester, CO7 7LZ. 3 m miniature railway, model village and after Cemetery into Abbey Turning. Tearoom areas). 50mtrs on L. the other gardens are planted from a neglected plot NE of Colchester. From Ardleigh vibrant planting all in 40 ft square For NGS: Fri 26 Apr (10.30- e g C b all within walking distance. Map will with a C15 thatched cottage. It is village centre continue on A137 to area! Regret, garden unsuitable for 4.30). Adm £6, chd £2.50. be available. Sat 1, Sun 2 June (1- planted with a selection of shrubs Manningtree. 3rd R Tile Barn Lane. children. Cream teas. For other opening 5). Combined adm £7, chd free. and perennials for maximum all R again Hungerdown Lane. 500yds 6 BLAKE HALL b times and information, please Delicious home-made cakes year interest, with a small wildlife gardens on R. As narrow lane please Bobbingworth, CM5 0DG. phone or visit garden website. Mr & Mrs H Capel Cure, and cream teas at Brookfield in pond and dry stream. Monalee is an follow this clockwise route to the 3 acres of secluded gardens in support of Ava. ever evolving garden that has many 3 BARNARDS FARM www.blakehall.co.uk. 10m W of gardens. Sat 13, Sun 14 Apr (11- rural historic setting. Mature trees features to attract you including 4). Combined adm £6, chd free. Brentwood Road, West Horndon, Chelmsford. Just off A414 between Brentwood, CM13 3LX. Bernard & surround variety of planting and Four Wantz r’about in Ongar & an oriental garden, cut flower bed, Home-made teas at Mayfield water features, woodland walks BROOKFIELD enclosed patio and summer house, Farm. Sylvia Holmes & The Christabella Talbot r’about in North Weald. Bob & Linda Taylor. Charitable Trust, 01268 454075, under planted with bulbs leading to Signed on A414. Sun 9 June (11- with a wide variety of shrubs, [email protected], tidal river, cottage garden, kitchen 4). Adm £5, chd free. Home- CAYNTON COTTAGE trees and perennials. 17 Fitzwalter CHARITY FARM www.barnardsfarm.eu. 5m S of garden, orchard, wild flower made teas in C17 barn. Les & Lynn Mann, 01245 463490, Road. is a small south west facing Jacqueline & Arthur Cork. Brentwood. On A128 1½ m S of meadow, rose garden, wisteria 25 acres of mature gardens within [email protected]. family garden, modern design A127 Halfway House flyover. From walk, magnolia trees, lawn with the historic setting of Blake Hall Visits also by arrangement in softened with cottage style planting. MAYFIELD FARM 85yd long herbaceous border. Raised beds and decking made Ed Fairey & Jennifer Hughes. Junction continue on A128 under the (not open). Arboretum with June for groups of up to 20. railway bridge. Garden on R just past Scenic backdrop of remains of broad variety of specimen trees. from scaffold boards, overcomes C12 abbey incorporated into 17 FITZWALTER ROAD flooding issues due to underground Two lovely, large country gardens bridge. Every Thur 18 Apr to 29 Spectacular rambling roses clamber Lee & Nina Marston. Aug (11-4.30). Adm £7.50, chd private house (not open). up ancient trees. Traditional formal springs. Brookfield, accessible, set in the beautiful setting of nearby Refreshments including Hot and partial access to meadow. Caynton Constable country of north east free. Light refreshments. Sun rose garden and herbaceous MONALEE 30 June, Sun 1 Sept (1-5.30). Cold Drinks, Cakes, Rolls and border. Sweeping lawns. Teas Andrew & Debora Overington. Cottage, gravel paths, Monalee not Essex. Refreshments, and parking in Quiche Salad’s. Gravel paths, some wheelchair friendly, 17 Fitzwalter paddock at Mayfield Farm. Mayfield Adm £10, chd free. Home-made served from Essex Barn. Some teas. On Thurs Vanessa and gentle slopes and some steps. Large gravel paths. Four stunning, inspirational and Road partial access. Farm a 3 acre garden which only WC with ramp and handlebars. her team serve home-made e b different gardens in the lovely village e g b a few years ago was largely a field e g b with a huge glass house and poly sandwich based light lunches. of Boreham. At Brookfield a rose a tunnels. Now planted with long On Suns it’s all cake!. Visits also 5 borders, a secret garden and yew by arrangement Jan to Oct for u THE BETH CHATTO hedging for topiary. Over two groups of 30+. Donation to St GARDENS hundred thousand bulbs have Francis Church. Elmstead Market, Colchester, been planted in the last 3 years to So much to explore! Climb the CO7 7DB. The Beth Chatto create a wonderful spring display. Belvedere for the wider view and Gardens, www.bethchatto.co.uk. Shepherds hut and potting shed. take the train for a woodland ¼m E of Elmstead Market. On Charity Farm is a 4½ acre garden adventure. Spring bulbs and A133 Colchester to Clacton Rd in created from an open and empty blossom, summer beds and village of Elmstead Market. For site since 2001. Woodland walks borders, ponds, lakes and streams, NGS: Sat 16 Mar (9-5). Adm and 2 avenues of trees create walled vegetable plot. ‘Japanese £5, chd free. Sun 29 Sept (10- vistas. A large lake surrounded with garden’, sculptures grand and quirky 4). Adm £8.45, chd free. Light natural planting and contains lots enhance and delight. Barnards refreshments. For other opening of pool frogs which sing loudly in Miniature Railway rides (BMR) times and information, please visit early summer. Parts of the garden :Separate charges apply. Sunday garden website. are delineated with beech and yew extras: Bernard’s Sculpture tour Internationally famous gardens, hedging, and the latest planting is a 2.30pm Car collection. 1920s Cycle including dry, damp, shade, birch grove containing 12 different shop. Archery. Model T Ford Rides. reservoir and woodland areas. The kinds of birch trees. Collect loyalty points on Thur visits result of over 50 years of hard e b and earn a free Sun or Thur entry. work and application of the huge Season Tickets available Aviators body of plant knowledge possessed a welcome (PPO),. Wheelchair by Beth Chatto and her husband accessible WC Golf buggy tours Andrew. Visitors cannot fail to be 2 254 ASHURST DRIVE available. affected by the peace and beauty Barkingside, IG6 1EW. Maureen e g C d b of the garden. The new Reservoir Keating, 0208 550 0934. 2m S of Garden was opened by Beth in Chigwell. Nearest tube: Barkingside 2017: a wonderful area, and a on Central Line approx 8 mins walk. must-visit for those who haven’t Bus: 150 stops outside Tesco’s on seen it yet. Large plant nursery. Cranbrook Rd. go round R side of Tree Trail. Gift Shop. Free parking. Caynton Cottage, Boreham Gardens Tescos car park. Keep R, alleyway Garden courses and events held leads to Ashurst Drive. Visits by all year. Open all year round. We 194 ESSEX ESSEX 195

8 BRAXTED PARK ESTATE (10-4.30). Combined adm £7, 10 CHIPPINS Braxted Park Road, Great chd free. Refreshments at Heath Road, Bradfield, CO11 2UZ. GROUP OPENING Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EN. 44 Church Road. Kit & Ceri Leese, 01255 870730, Mr Duncan & Mrs Nicky Clark, [email protected]. 3m 11 CLAVERING GARDENS www.braxtedpark.com. A12 44 CHURCH ROAD E of Manningtree. Take A137 from Middle Street, Clavering, north, by-pass Witham,. Turn L to Mandy Livingstone & Steven Manningtree Station, turn L opp CB11 4QL. 7m N of Bishop’s Rivenhall & Silver End. Turn L by Nicholson. garage. Take 1st R towards Clacton. Stortford. On B1038. Turn W onto closed Fox pub.Turn L to Rivenhall At Radio Mast turn L into Bradfield B1383 at Newport. Parking at Fox & Great Braxted. At T junction turn 51 CHURCH ROAD continue through village. Bungalow & Hounds Pub & in Middle St. R to Gt Braxted & Witham. Follow Mr & Mrs John & Maureen is opp primary school. Sun 26 Mon 6 May (12-5). Combined brown sign to Braxted Pk (NOT McAuley. May, Sun 7 July (11-4.30). Adm adm with Wickets £8, chd free. Braxted Golf Course). Tue 11 June N £3.50, chd free. Home-made Home-made teas at Wickets, 77 CHURCH ROAD Langley Upper Green CB11 (10-4). Adm £6, chd free. Light Mr & Mrs Mick & Gill Tokley. teas. Delicious home-made refreshments in the Walled cakes also available! Visits also 4RY. Admission for Clavering Garden Pavilion. Light lunches SANDY HOOK by arrangement May to July for Gardens £6 child free. and afternoon tea available. Mr & Mrs Peter & Elaine groups of 5 to 30. Special 2-course buffet hosted Artist’s garden and plantaholics’ Sedwell. CHESTNUT COTTAGE by Bunny Guinness in the paradise packed with interest. Carol & Mike Wilkinson. Ballroom by prior ticket Four very interesting and Springtime heralds irises, hostas and purchase only. contrasting gardens to enjoy in alliums. Stream, with wildlife pond PIERCEWEBBS Speaker is Bunny Guinness, star of the unique and ancient maritime and Horace the Huge! Summer Mrs J William-Powlett, BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question town of Brightlingsea. Sandy Hook hosts an explosion of colour 01799 550809, Time, Daily Telegraph Columnist boasts a raised rose bed, dahlias, with daylilies and rambling roses. [email protected]. and host of Ch4’s Great Garden penstemons and salvias, with a small Front garden with tubs, hanging Visits also by arrangement Challenge.Tickets for the talks and/ woodland stream and a sheltered baskets and exotic border with Apr to Oct for groups of 10 to or lunch must be purchased in “White Garden”. 44 Church Road cannas, banana and cacti. Studio 20. Home-made refreshments advance and will support Horatio’s in conservatory with paintings and has a traditional country garden, will be provided if requested Garden charity. To book please with gentle colours, mature trees, etching press. Kit is a landscape visit www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/ evergreen shrubs, a water feature artist and printmaker, pictures in advance. Braxted or ring 01722 326 834. and a wisteria covered pergola. always on display. Afternoon tea Braxted Park, Grade II* park of The garden offers various places to with delicious homemade cakes Popular village with many C16/17 “exceptional significance” is again relax and contemplate the different is also available for small parties timber-framed dwellings. Beautiful opening its gardens for the NGS. features of this quintessentially (minimum of 5) on specific days if C14 church, village green with Meander around the parkland’s English garden. The garden at 51 booked in advance. thatched cricket pavilion and pitch. Chestnut Cottage is 1-acre ponds, lakes and walled gardens. Church Road is guaranteed to make e g C b Experience the execution of the you smile – and gasp! A garden that cottage garden with sweeping 10-year Parkland Restoration could truly be said to have some lawns and wide flower borders, Management Plan. Enter walled depth, with clever landscaping and opposite Clavering Ford. Lots garden ‘rooms’ through long use of pottery and natural stones. of pathways and seats to sit and Wisteria broad walk and admire At 77 Church Road we have a contemplate, and stunning views Mulberry parasol trees, unique to colourful garden with an eclectic over the medieval heart of the Braxted. Head Gardener, Andrea mix of trees, shrubs and perennials village. Come and see ‘The Little Cooper will be on hand to answer in borders alongside a range of hard House’, (open), built in 1760 and questions and guided tours for a landscaping. The garden is filled reputedly the smallest thatched further donation of £5pp payable with plants and features and you cottage in England. Middle Street upon the day. There can wander through pathways to is the medieval heart of the village will also be information about hidden corners offering peaceful with the ford crossing the River Horatio’s Garden charity. and tranquil seating. At Brightlingsea Stort. Piercewebbs has formal old Perennials on sale in aid of the spectacular award winning floral walled garden and yew hedges Horatio’s Garden. Guide dogs displays adorning the centre are not complementing handsome red brick only. to be missed. There is much to see house. Shrubs, lawns, ha-ha, yew with topiary, stilt hedge, pond and e g C b along the harbour, the marina with bracing walks along the promenade. trellised rose garden. Landscaped Brightlingsea is blessed with plenty field walk. Best views in the village. GROUP OPENING of watering holes and places to eat. Plant sale at Chestnut Cottage. Access to main border garden only Limited access to Piercewebbs only. 9 BRIGHTLINGSEA at Sandy Hook and to the patio at Chestnut Cottage is not suitable for GARDENS 51 Church Rd. At No 77 the side wheelchairs. Brightlingsea, Colchester, CO7 0JF. passage is partially obstructed by a e g C b Approx 10m SE of Colchester. Go to gas meter. a Thorrington on B1027 & then head S e g b for approx 3m towards Brightlingsea a on B1029. Group gardens are either side of Church Rd. 100yds beyond Tudor Roost Autosmith Garage. Sun 21 July © Sarah Lee 196 ESSEX ESSEX 197

12 8 DENE COURT 14 ELWY LODGE young birch and maple trees and Chignall Road, Chelmsford, West Bowers Rd, Woodham many woodland plants including CM1 2JQ. Mrs Sheila Chapman, Walter, CM9 6RZ. David & camellias and rhododendrons Living Field Cottage 01245 266156. W of Chelmsford Laura Cox, 01245 222165, evergreen arches lead to a magical (Parkway). Take A1060 Roxwell [email protected]. Just outside secret gd. Most of the garden is Rd for 1m. Turn R at T-lights into Woodham Walter village. From wheelchair accessible. There are a Chignall Rd. Dene Court 3rd exit Chelmsford, A414 to Danbury. L at few shallow steps. on R. Parking in Chignall Rd. Wed 2nd mini r’about into Little Baddow e b 22, Fri 31 May (2-5), also open Rd. From Colchester, A12 to Hatfield Dragons. Tue 4, Fri 14, Tue Peverel, L onto B1019. Follow NGS 16 FAIRWINDS 18, Fri 28 June, Fri 5 July (2-5). signs. Sun 12 May, Fri 7 June (11- Chapel Lane, Chigwell Row, IG7 6JJ. Tue 16 July (2-5), also open 5). Adm £5, chd free. Sun 16 Sue & David Coates, 07731 796467, Dragons. Fri 26 July (2-5). Tue June (10.30-5). Combined adm [email protected]. 2m SE of 6, Fri 16 Aug (2-5), also open with 1 Whitehouse Cottages Chigwell. Grange Hill Tube, turn R at Dragons. Fri 23 Aug (2-5). Sun 8 £7.50, chd free. Fri 12, Sun 14 exit, 10 mins walk uphill. Car: Nr M25 Sept (2-5), also open Dragons. July (11-5). Adm £5, chd free. J26 & N Circular Waterworks r’about. Adm £3.50, chd free. Visits also Home-made teas. Seasonal Follow signs for Chigwell. Fork R for by arrangement May to Aug for and Special home-made cakes Manor/Lambourne Rd. Park in Lodge groups of 10+. on Sunday openings, not to be Close Car Park. Mon 27 May (2-5). Beautifully maintained and designed missed. Visits also by arrangement Adm £4, chd free. Home-made compact garden (250sq yds). May to July for groups of 10+. teas. Free refills of tea/coffee Owner is well-known RHS gold Tucked away in the gentle Essex Soya milk available. Some green/ medal-winning exhibitor (now countryside, the glorious garden at fruit teas and decaf on request. retired). Circular lawn, long pergola Elwy Lodge offers a welcome that Visits also by arrangement Mar to and walls festooned with roses and is hard to beat. Join the growing Sept fr groups of 10 to 20. Tea & climbers. Large selection of unusual numbers of visitors who regularly cake by advance request. Guided clematis. Densely-planted colour return each season to sit and savour tours on request. coordinated perennials add interest the different sights this exceptional Gravelled front garden and three from May to Sept in this immaculate garden has to offer in late spring, differently styled back garden spaces spectacular tulips and blossom lead in and enjoy a cuppa. A medium [email protected]. 4m E of garden. midsummer and then again in with planting changes every year. g C late summer. Plenty of seating on to a huge number of different size vegetable garden. The garden is Chelmsford, 4m W of Maldon A414 Meander, sit, relax and enjoy. Flower and colourful plants, many unusual, fully accessible to wheelchairs. to Danbury. At village centre turn S throughout the garden. Flowing border planting influenced by Beth lawns, herbaceous borders, scented culminating in a purple explosion e g b into Mayes Lane Take 1st R. Go past 13 DRAGONS Chatto, Penelope Hobhouse and of michaelmas daisies in late Sept. Cricketers Pub, L on to Bicknacre Boyton Cross, Chelmsford, roses, clematis, trees, wildlife pond Christopher Lloyd. The woodland Wonderful sculpture by Ben 19 Rd Park in NT carpark immed on CM1 4LS. Mrs Margot and a small meadow area. A secluded garden includes shade planting and is FUDLERS HALL chamomile-scented lower garden Coode-Adams. No wheelchair Fox Road, Mashbury, Chelmsford, L Garden 50m further on R. Extra Grice, 01245 248651, home to our hens. Beyond the rustic access to arboretum, steep slope. parking 200 metres past on L. Wed [email protected]. 3m with raised veg. beds and fruit trees fence, lies the wildlife pond and CM1 4TJ. Mr & Mrs A J Meacock, leads to a delightful summer house, e f C 01245 231335. 7m NW of 1 May (1-5); Sun 5 May, Sun 2 W of Chelmsford. On A1060. ½m vegetable plot. Happy hens. Happy June (11-5); Wed 11 Sept (1-5); where visitors relax and enjoy the insects in bee house, bug house, log Chelmsford. Chelmsford take A1060, W of The Hare Pub. Wed 20 Feb 18 Sun 15 Sept (11-5). Adm £5, (12-3). Light refreshments. Wed peaceful surroundings and amazing piles and sampling the spring pollen. FIELD COTTAGE R into Chignal Rd. ½m L to Chignal views. Sloping uneven lawn in parts. Pound Gate, Stebbing, nr Great St James approx 5m, 2nd R into chd free. Home-made teas. All 22, Fri 31 May, Tue 16 July, Tue Newts in pond. There be dragons the cakes are home made many 6, Fri 16 Aug (2-5); Sun 8 Sept Please check wheelchair access with a plenty!! Space for 2 disabled cars Dunmow, CM6 3RH. Wal & Fox Rd signed Gt Waltham. Fudlers garden owner before visiting. Jenny Hudgell, 01371 856406, FROM GT WALTHAM. Take Barrack with home produced fruit, etc. (11-4). Home-made teas. Also to park by the house. Wood chip Visits also by arrangement Apr to open 8 Dene Court. Wed 25 e g C b paths in woodland area may require [email protected]. 3m Lane for 3m. Sun 23 June, Sun E of Great Dunmow. Leave Gt 7 July (2-5). Adm £5, chd free. Sept. Groups of 15+. Sept (2-5). Home-made teas. assistance. A Victorian house surrounded by Adm £4, chd free. Visits also 15 N e f b Dunmow on B1256. Take first L Home-made teas. Visits also by 5 FAIRFIELD ROAD to Stebbing. At the War Memorial arrangement June & July. a garden designed, created and by arrangement Feb to Oct for Leigh-On-Sea, SS9 5RZ. Rob & maintained by the owners to provide groups of 10+. Gwen Evison. Follow A127 towards junction turn L, down hill to High An award winning, romantic 2 acre 17 FEERINGBURY MANOR Street. Take 2nd R past the School, garden surrounding C17 farmhouse all year round interest. The colour A plantswoman’s ¾ acre garden, Southend past Rayleigh Weir. At Coggeshall Road, Feering, coordinated borders and beds are planted to encourage wildlife. Progress Rd T-lights turn L. At the end signed to Garden Fields. Sun 26 with lovely pastoral views, across Colchester, CO5 9RB. May, Sun 23 June (1-5.30). Adm the Chelmer Valley. Old walls enhanced with topiary, grasses,and Sumptuous colour-themed borders turn R at the T-lights along Rayleigh Rd Mr & Mrs Giles Coode- climbers. April starts with thousands with striking plant combinations, A1015. Fairfield Road is approx 1m £4, chd free. Light refreshments. divide garden into many rooms, Adams, 01376 561946, Visits also by arrangement June each having a different character, of tulips followed by Alliums. By featuring specimen plants, fernery, on the L. Sun 19 May (12-4). Adm [email protected], June the roses are blooming with clematis,and grasses. Meandering £3.50, chd free. Home-made teas, to Sept for groups of 10 to 20. featuring long herbaceous borders, www.ngs.org.uk. Between Feering Afternoons only. ropes and pergolas festooned many perennials, July is hemerocallis paths lead to ponds, patio, scree coffee and cakes or cream teas & Coggeshall on Coggeshall Rd, 1m show time, Sept includes Dahlias garden and small vegetable are available. Free refills of tea ⅓ acre garden with countryside with rambling old fashioned roses. from Feering village. Every Thur views reinvented in 2010 and Enjoy the vibrant hot border in Asters, late exotics. The garden has garden. Two summerhouses, one and coffee. and Fri 4 Apr to 26 July (9-4). many unusual plants and shrubs. overlooking stream and farmland. A lovingly kept garden divided still evolving. Borders packed late summer. Yew hedged kitchen Every Thur and Fri 5 Sept to with perennials and shrubs for all garden. Ample seating. Opp Danbury Common (NT), short g C b into different areas. Koi pond 4 Oct (9-4). Adm £5, chd free. walk to Danbury Country Park and surrounded by climbing plants and year round interest including iris, b Visits also by arrangement Jan to hemerocallis, hostas, roses, ferns Lakes and short drive to RHS Hyde topiary. Well tended lawn with Oct. Donation to Feering Church. Hall. Very limited wheelchair access, numerous beds filled with flowering and grasses. Approx 40 new trees 20 FURZELEA There is always plenty to see in planted around the garden to with some steps and gravel paths shrubs, conifers, alliums irises and this peaceful 10 acre garden with Bicknacre Road, Danbury, and drive. peonies. Rose covered arch leads provide height to a very flat site. CM3 4JR. Avril & Roger two ponds and river Blackwater. Summer house and arbour to relax g C b to a secluded woodland area, Jewelled lawn in early April then Cole-Jones, 01245 225726, 198 ESSEX ESSEX 199

21 30 GLENWOOD weekend on the 4/5 May. Sunday N 63 CHURCH STREET meadows,Yin and Yang borders, a B1007, R A176, Little Burstead, L and Coffee, Pimms, Cakes and AVENUE 5 May is in aid of the NGS. It is Sue & Richard Watts. folly and an exotic area. There is onto Rectory Rd, Haytor is on LHS. Vegetarian savoury snacks. Visits Leigh-On-Sea, SS9 5EB. a chance to see the the stunning plenty of seating to enjoy the views Or A176 to Billericay, L Wash Rd also by arrangement May to July Joan Squibb, 07543 031772, azaleas amongst the carpets of N QUAYSIDE COURT and a cup of tea and cake. 1st R, Dunton Rd.1st R, Rectory Rd, for groups of 10 to 20. Owners [email protected]. Follow A127 bluebells. Bluebells and azaleas, Brendan & Rachel Boreham. e g b Haytor is on RHS. Fri 14, Sun 16 work full time so best after 5pm towards Southend. Past Rayleigh acers and rhododendrons in May. N 8 ST HELENS GREEN June (11-4). Adm £4, chd free. weekdays. Since building our turf roof house Weir. At Progress Rd T-lights turn Water gardens, island beds and tree Frances Vincent. 26 HAVENDELL Home-made teas. L. At next T-lights turn L down lilies all summer. Stunning Autumn Lovingly cultivated over the past in 1995 we have trialled waste N Beckingham Street, Tolleshunt Rayleigh Rd A1015. Past shops turn colour. Light lunches, home-made THE WALLED Major, Maldon, CM9 8LJ. Malcolm 30 years, its original one acre grass materials in our 4 acre garden to 2nd L into Glenwood Ave . Garden teas and cream teas served. Flat and GARDEN & Val. 5m E of Maldon 3m W of field is now an eclectic mix of mimic brownfield habitat, one of halfway down on R. Fri 26, Sun 28 easy walking /pushing wheelchairs. Liz Fraser & Michael Pountney. Tiptree. From B1022 take Loamy gardeners’ delights, with the lower the most undervalued places for Apr, Sun 28 July (11-4). Adm Ramps at entrance and tearoom. Hill rd. At the Xrds L into Witham area left to allow natural growth. wildlife. These are now our most £3.50, chd free. Home-made Disabled parking and WC. Five different gardens by the rd. Follow NGS signs. Sun 2 June There are ponds, lovely mature beautiful and diverse habitats for teas, coffee and cakes. Visits also e g C b seaside. All within walking distance (11-4.30). Adm £4, chd free. trees, mixed shrubs and herbaceous plants and insects. Several green by arrangement Apr to Aug for in the historical town of Harwich. Home-made teas. borders. This garden invites you to roofs and lots of ideas to create 8 St Helens Green, just 100m from biodiverse habitats, especially groups of 10 to 20. 23 N HALFWAY Cottage style garden set in take in nature’s beauty and there the sea. Whilst a small town garden, for solitary bees. Views across Nestled next to the busy A127 HALEY’S ⅓ acre, taking you through different are many seating areas, with wild lies a beautifully transformed 26 Courtenay Gardens,, there is an abundance of dahlias, sections filling you with surprise. Set flowers and even a ‘Monet’ style the Thames Estuary to Kent. The town garden. Homemade raised Upminster, RM14 1DD. Mr & Mrs salvias, and hydrangeas mixed in this ever evolving garden we have bridge. garden features a self build timber beds with tulips in spring, dahlias Ed & Jan Haley. From Upminster with complimentary perennials. an abundance of hosta’s around a e f b house with green roof, 6 other and roses in the summer. From Station main entrance turn R, 63 Church Street (access via Cow sub- tropical section with a wild life green roofs, 3 ponds, brownfield Lane) is a long, narrow walled habitat which gives ideas for difficult a corridor of Cyprus trees and Take1st R into Deyncourt Gardens. pond, fruit and vegetable plot and 28 HILLDROP grass emerges an open garden Take 1st rd on L which is Courtenay courtyard with shrubs, climbers, stumpery. Range of roses including Laindon Road (B1007), Horndon- areas, green roof shipping container giving a vista of colour, inspiration Gardens. The garden is aprox 5 mins perennials and veg packed into the Rambling Rector and Blue for You, On-The-Hill, Stanford-le-Hope, garden room, wildlife friendly and peaceful harmony, with many walk from Upminster Station. Sun garden and architectural features Sit and relax amongst the nature SS17 8QB. John Little & Fiona hedges including laid hedges. 2 wild different scents to savour. Hanging 23 June, Sun 15 Sept (12.30- including an Elizabethan window this garden has to offer. Crummay, 07967 733720, flower meadows and ephemeral baskets bloom in the fruit trees 5.30). Adm £4, chd free. Light with original glass. b [email protected], wetland. Some wheelchair friendly and along the fences. A paved area refreshments. 30 Church Street (access via www.grassroofcompany.co.uk. Just paths and grass paths that may be allows one to enjoy the view of the Customs House Lane) is a tiny accessible depending on rabbit This is a long and narrow secluded 27 N N of Horndon on the Hill. 80m E of garden as does a deck at the back courtyard reclaimed from a barren HAYTOR damage. Garden is on a slight garden split into 4 rooms the last Rectory Road, Little Burstead, junction B1007 & Lower Dunton Rd. where herbs and some vegetables being a secret garden. There are space in 18 months. Crammed Sun 7 July (2-7). Adm £5, chd slope. live alongside the flowers. A with pots and climbers it is a Billericay, CM12 9TR. Carol & e g b 3 mature ornamental cherry trees Roger Savage. From Billericay: free. Light refreshments. Tea peaceful vista, to sit in and restore plus shrubs and climbing plants. restful space. The sunken garden the batteries. Vegetables are also There is a Hosta bed, Dahlia bed, is a hidden gem. Behind Quayside grown in raised beds. lots of Fuchsia plants, a medium Court, originally a Victorian hotel b well stocked pond, Pergola and and is possibly below sea level, Arbours, Willow Wigwam and features a pond, veg patch, roses and climbers. The Walled Garden, a 22 u GREEN ISLAND plenty of Seating. Although there Park Road, Ardleigh, CO7 7SP. are flower beds and borders garden without a house. A previous Fiona Edmond, 01206 230455, the garden is informal and waste area enclosed by high walls [email protected], natural. Garden not suitable for planted with perennials. It’s a place www.greenislandgardens.co.uk. wheelchairs. for plant lovers. Uneven paths and steps. Not suitable for wheelchairs. 3m NE of Colchester. From Ardleigh g b village centre, take B1029 towards g b Great Bromley. Park Rd is 2nd on R a after level Xing. Garden is last on L. GROUP OPENING For NGS: Sun 5 May, Sat 12 Oct 25 262 HATCH ROAD (10-5). Adm £7.50, chd £2.50. 24 N HARWICH Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, Light refreshments. Home-made GARDENS CM15 9QR. Mike & Liz Thomas. cakes, sandwiches and baguettes. St Helens Green, Harwich, 2m N of Brentwood town centre. On For other opening times and CO12 3NH. Centre of Old Harwich. A128 N toward Ongar turn R onto information, please phone, email or Take A120 to Harwich, continue on Doddinghurst Rd at mini-r’about (to visit garden website. to The Quay. Follow the rd round into Brentwood Centre) After the Centre ‘A garden for all seasons’ A Wellington Rd. Car park is available turn next L into Hatch Rd. Garden plantsman’s paradise with 20 acres on Wellington Rd, CO12 3DP, within 4th on R. Sun 7, Sun 21 July packed with rare and unusual 50m of St Helens Green, also (11.30-4.30). Adm £4.50, chd plants. Carved within mature available other parking on street & free. Home-made teas. woodland are huge island beds, on The Quay. Sun 28 July (1-5). A formal frontage with lavender. Japanese garden, terrace, gravel Combined adm £5, chd free. An eclectic rear garden of around garden, seaside garden, water Home-made teas at 8 St Helens an acre divided into ‘rooms’ with gardens and extensive woodland Green. themed borders, several ponds, plantings. Also tearoom with home- three green houses, fruit and vegetable plots and oriental garden. made cakes and snacks and nursery N 30 CHURCH STREET Horkesley Hall offering plants all seen growing Diana Brearley. There is also a secret white garden, in the gardens. Bluebells Bazaar spring and summer wild flower © Marcus Harpur 200 ESSEX ESSEX 201

29 HORKESLEY HALL Rd/B1335, take Foyle Dr to Humber 32 KEEWAY 35 LITTLE MYLES 37 N LONGYARD Little Horkesley, Colchester, Ave. Sun 16 June, Sun 14 July Ferry Road, Creeksea, GROUP OPENING Ongar Road, Stondon Massey, COTTAGE CO6 4DB. Mr & Mrs Johnny (12-5). Adm £3.50, chd free. nr Burnham-on-Crouch, Brentwood, CM15 0LD. Judy Betts Lane, Nazeing, Essex, Eddis, 078085 99290, Home-made teas. CM0 8PL. John & Sue 34 LANGLEY VILLAGE & Adrian Cowan. 1½m SE of EN9 2DA. Jackie & John [email protected], A suburban garden close to Nature Ketteley, 01621 782083, GARDENS Chipping Ongar. Off A128 at Stag Copping, 01992 892472, www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/10354093. Reserve, 30m x 14m space featuring [email protected]. 2m Langley Upper Green, Saffron Pub, Marden Ash, towards Stondon [email protected]. 6m N of Colchester City Centre. 2m an old cherry tree from the orchard W of Burnham-on-Crouch. B1010 Walden, CB11 4RY. 7m W of Saffron Massey. Over bridge, 1st house on R Opposite red telephone box. Sun 17 W of A134, 10 minutes from the of the famous Belhus Mansion. to Burnham on Crouch. At town Walden 10m N of Bishops Stortford. after ‘S’ bend. 400yds Ongar side of Feb (11-4). Adm £4, chd free. A12. At the grass triangle with tree The garden features abundant sign take 1st R into Ferry Rd signed At Newport take B1038. After 3m turn Stondon Church. Sun 7 July (11-4). Home-made teas. Visits also in middle, turn into Little Horkesley large borders planted heavily with Creeksea & Burnham Golf Club & R at Clavering, signed Langley. Upper Adm £5, chd free. Home-made by arrangement June to Nov for Church car park to the very far end herbaceous plants, small trees, follow NGS signs. Wed 26 June, Fri Green is 3m further on. Sun 26 May teas. Seating in Tea Room, also groups of 5 to 20. - access is via low double black gates roses, lilies, and ornamental grasses 5 July (2-5). Adm £4, chd free. (11-5). Combined adm £7.50, chd under trees and on main lawn. Longyard Cottage is an interesting at the far end. Evening opening with oriental senses mixed with a Home-made teas. Visits also by free. Light refreshments at Village A romantic, naturalistic garden ¾ of an acre garden situated Tue 19 Feb (5.30-8). Light traditional English feel with shady arrangement June & July. Groups Hall on Langley Village Green. full of hidden features, set in 3 within yards of an SSSI site, an C11 refreshments. Sun 24 Feb (1-4); areas with hostas, tree ferns and of 15+. Light lunches & home-made teas. acres. Full borders, meandering Church, a myriad of footpaths and Sun 9 June (11-5); Sun 8 Sept Japanese style plants. The owners Large, mature country garden with paths to Beach Garden, Perennial a fine display of snowdrops and (12.30-4). Adm £6, chd free. are interested in design and are stunning views over the R Crouch. THE CHESTNUTS Prairie border, Exotic Jungle around spring bulbs. This conceptual garden Home-made teas, cream teas, members of Sogetsu International Formal terraces surround the house Jane & David Knight. elephant, monkeys and giraffe. is based on a ‘journey’ and depicted cakes, meringues, ice creams School, original arrangements will with steps leading to sweeping lawns, Fountains, sculptures and tranquil through the use of paths which take available depending on the be on display during open day. mixed borders packed full of bulbs OLD BELL COTTAGE benches. Hidden Asian garden, Richard Vallance, 01799 550474, you through 3 distinct areas each season. Visits also by arrangement e f g i b and perennials, formal rose and herb Slate garden, hornbeam pergola, [email protected]. with its own characteristics. It’s a Feb to Oct. garden with interesting water feature. ornamental vegetable patch tactile garden with which you can Visits also by arrangement 8 acres in a magical setting - a 31 Further afield there are wilder areas, and natural pond. Herb garden engage or simply sit and relax. JERICHO COTTAGE May & June. romantic garden surrounding (MEGARRY’S ANTIQUES & paddocks and lake. A productive that inspired Little Myles herbal g b classical house in mature parkland TEASHOP) greenhouse, vegetable and cutting N 1 SPARROWS cosmetics. Hand painted jungle setting. 2 lakes. Unusual, ancient gardens complete the picture. mural. Crafts and handmade herbal The Green, Blackmore, Kevin and Gill Shepherd. 38 LOXLEY HOUSE and enormous trees. Largest Ingatestone, CM4 0RR. e g b cosmetics for sale. Explorers sheet 49 Robin Hood Road, Brentwood, ginkgo tree outside Kew. Walled Judi Wood, 01277 822170, WICKETS and map for children. Gravel paths. Susan & Doug Copeland. CM15 9EL. Robert & Helen Smith. garden, snowdrops, wild flower [email protected], 33 KELVEDON HALL No disabled WC available. 1m N of Brentwood town centre. On garden, blossom, spring bulbs, www.antique-teashop.co.uk. 4m Kelvedon, Colchester, (See separate entry) e g b A128 N towards Ongar turn R onto roses, hydrangeas. Formal terrace E of Chipping Ongar 4m N of CO5 9BN. Mr & Mrs Doddinghurst Rd at mini r’about. Old Bell Cottage successfully overlooking sweeping lawns to Brentwood. At centre of Blackmore Jack Inglis, 07973 795955, 36 Take the 1st rd on L into Robin Hood incorporates part of former field, LONG HOUSE PLANTS woodland. A timeless, family village head for village green. Turn [email protected]. Take Church Road, Noak Hill, Rd. 2 houses before the bend on L. garden with recent and ongoing by the war memorial into Blacksmith Maldon Rd direction Great Braxted with various herbaceous beds Romford, RM4 1LD. Tim Spring bulbs, alliums, lupins and Sat 13 Apr (11.30-3.30). Adm improvements. A developing Alley. Jericho Cottage straight ahead. from Kelvedon High St. Go over R Carter, 01708 371719, delphiniums. Trees frame views £4, chd free. Home-made teas. lakeside Jungle Walk, appeal for Tue 16 Apr, Tue 18 June (1.30- Blackwater bridge & bridge over A12 [email protected], On entering the rear garden you across valley. Greenhouse, patio all ages. Very well-stocked plant 5). Adm £3, chd free. Home- At T-junction turn R onto Kelvedon www.longhouse-plants.co.uk. 3½m will be surprised and delighted by area and cabinets for hardening stall and home-made cakes, teas, made teas. Megarry’s Teashop Rd. Take 1st L, single gravel road, NW of J28 M25. J28 M25 take this town garden. A colourful patio off. Raised beds for vegetables, meringues and ice creams. Stunning scones with Rodda’s clotted oak tree on corner. Visits by A1023 Brentwood. At 1st T-lights, with pots and containers. Steps up fruit cage. Sunken BBQ area. natural setting, jungle walk, wild cream. Home-made cakes. Visits arrangement Apr to July for turn L to South Weald after 0.8m onto a circular lawn surrounded by Natural pond. The Chestnuts flower garden, living willow, also by arrangement Apr to Sept groups of 20+. Adm £5, chd turn L at T junction. After 1.6m hedges, herbaceous borders, trees features mature trees and meadow. charming enclosed swimming pool for groups of up to 20. free. Home-made teas in the turn L, over M25 after ½m turn R and climbers. 2 water features, one Planting beds designed and installed garden where you can relax with Small walled wildlife and woodland Courtyard Garden by the house into Church Rd, nursery opp church. a Japanese theme and another with by Tristen Knight, RHS Young teas. Traditional stable yard. Vast, garden with mature trees, shrubs, or for larger numbers in the Wed 12 June, Wed 17 July, Wed ferns in a quiet seating area. The Designer 2012. Water feature unusual and ancient trees, topiary. bamboos, palms and ponds. Pool House Walled Garden, 14 Aug, Wed 11 Sept (11-4). garden is planted to offer spring with reclaimed sleeper jetty. Snowdrops, hydrangeas, roses, Historic Romany Vardo and weather permitting. Teas, Adm £5, chd £3. Home-made colour with daffodils, tulips and New productive garden with oak exotics, dahlias! A very well-stocked Victorian Glasshouse. Primroses, Coffees and Cakes. teas. Visits also by arrangement perennials. Plant Stall. Limited wheelchair walkways, paving and water feature. bluebells, camellias, rhododendrons Varied 6 acre garden surrounding June to Oct for groups of 30+. b access to some areas, gravel paths and later hydrangeas, euphorbias a gorgeous C18 house. A blend Tranquil place to linger and enjoy. Conducted tours available by and slopes but easy access to tea and geraniums clothe the ground, of formal and informal spaces I Sparrows is a compact garden arrangement for an additional fee area with lovely views over lake and while a canopy of wisteria, rambling interspersed with modern with fruit trees, raised vegetable of £50. garden. Please bring a torch for the roses, honeysuckle and kiwi vine sculpture. Pleached hornbeam beds and greenhouse. Lawn edged A beautiful garden - yes, but one evening opening in Feb. shade the patio and pergola. The and yew and box topiary provide with buxus. Shrubs and climbers. with a purpose. Long House Plants e f g C a b garden is an untamed hidden oasis. structure. A courtyard walled Small water feature and wildlife has been producing home grown Antique shop, Teashop. A gentle garden juxtaposes a modern friendly. A collection of Heuchera plants for more than 10 years - 30 N paved path leads to the pergola and walled pool garden, both providing and Heucherella. Wickets has here is a chance to see where it 61 HUMBER wide, mixed borders, roses, two AVENUE patio where there is access to the season long displays. Herbaceous all begins! With wide paths and South Ockendon, RM15 5JW. garden through a wrought iron gate borders offset an abundance landscaped meadows, lily pond, plenty of seats carefully placed to Mr & Mrs Kasia & Greg Purton- onto the lawn. of roses around the house. Lily glasshouse, parterre and dry garden. enjoy the plants and views. It has Langley is highest Essex village set Dmowski. M25 - J30/31 or A13 e f g b covered ponds with a wet garden. been thoughtfully designed so that - exit to Lakeside. J31/M25 to Topiary, sculpture, tulips and roses. in rolling countryside. Arts & Crafts the collections of plants look great Thurrock Services, or Grays from Wheelchair access not ideal as Exhibition in St John the Evangelist together through all seasons. Church. Gravel drives at Wickets. A13, at the r’about take exit onto there is a lot of gravel. e g C b e g C b Ship Ln to Aveley, turn R and then g i b 2nd exit at the r’about onto Stifford a 202 ESSEX ESSEX 203

39 16 MAIDA WAY Adm £4, chd free. Home-made with paths that take you on a tour the C18 Walled Garden. Spring edged parterre beds, boggy area with 47 PARSONAGE HOUSE Chingford, E4 7JL. Clare & Steve teas. Visits also by arrangement of the garden. A quiet hidden place snowdrop and autumn colour strong foliage shapes, rill garden with Wiggens Green, Helions Francis. 1m from Chingford town July & Aug. not expected in a busy town. Our displays are annual highlights. Tea cascade and small woodland garden. Bumpstead, Haverhill, CB9 7AD. centre off Kings Head Hill. Maida The garden comprises of 185 garden is a hidden oasis, where room serving homemade cakes, hot A gin-and-tonic balcony gives a high The Hon & Mrs Nigel Turner. 3m Way is a cul-de-sac off Maida metres of island beds and borders you can escape from the hustle and cold beverages, light lunches level vantage point over the garden S of Haverhill. From Xrds in the Avenue that can be accessed via sited on ⅓ acre. Some of the and bustle of busy life. Wheelchair including homemade soup and daily and a raised terrace looks out over village centre go up past the Church Kings Head Hill or Sewardstone Rd. borders are elevated from the access, but there is a step down specials. 2019 sees the return of the surrounding countryside. for approx 1m. Parking on R through Evening opening Sat 6 July (4- house resulting in steep banks into part of the garden. our Bi-Annual Sculpture Exhibition f b a five bar gate into the orchard. 9). Adm £7.50, chd free. Wine. which provide a different and e g b from 20 July to 1 Sept. See website Garden on L of the lane. Sun 16 Entrance fee incl a glass of wine interesting aspect. Salvia, dahlia, for opening times. Hard paths 45 MOVERONS June, Sun 8 Sept (2-5). Adm and a selection of nibbles. hedychium, brugmansia peak in 42 u MARKS HALL lead to all key areas of interest. Brightlingsea, CO7 0SB. £5, chd free. Home-made teas. There are three distinct areas to the the summer months. ‘This garden GARDENS & ARBORETUM Wheelchairs or staff-driven buggy Lesley & Payne Gunfield, Apple juice from the orchard garden. A walled patio with raised features a completely new, RHS Coggeshall, CO6 1TG. Marks available for visitors with mobility [email protected], , for sale on day. beds of ferns, climbers, hostas and accredited Dahlia named “Jake Hall Estate, 01376 563796, issues (booking essential). www.moverons.co.uk. 7m SE C15 house (not open) surrounded planters. Steps up to middle garden Mann” after my late son. [email protected], e g C b of Colchester. At old church turn by 3 acres of formal gardens with with a large koi pond, seating area, g b www.markshall.org.uk. 1½m N of R signed Moverons Farm. Follow mixed borders, topiary, pond, with acers, shrubs, herbaceous Coggeshall. Follow brown & white 43 MIRAFLORES lane & garden signs for approx 1m. potager and greenhouse. Further plants, grasses and grapevine. 3-acre wild flower meadow with 41 N 9 MALYON ROAD tourism signs from A120 Coggeshall Witham, CM8 2LJ. Yvonne & Beware some SatNavs take you the Numerous retro artefacts creatively Witham, CM8 1DF. Maureen & bypass. For opening times and Danny Owen, 07976 603863, wrong side of the river. Sun 9 June orchids and rare trees and further upcycled. The third area is a Stephen Hicks. Car park at bottom information, please phone, email or [email protected]. Please (10.30-5). Adm £5, chd free. 3 acre orchard of old East Anglian kitchen garden with raised beds of of High St. 5 min walk from car park visit garden website. DO NOT go via Rowan Way, go to Home-made teas. Visits also apple varieties in two small fields fruit trees and bushes, herbs and cross High St by pedestrian crossing Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum Forest Road as there is rear access to by arrangement May to Sept for across the lane. Gravel drive and vegetables. onto River Walk, follow path, take features a tree collection from all the garden only. Access is ONLY by groups of 10+. small step into WC. g b 1st R turn into Luard way Malyon the temperate areas of the world rear gate at the top The Spinney, off Beautiful tranquil 4 acre garden in e g b Rd straight ahead. Sat 22, Sun 23 set in more than 200 acres of of FOREST RD... Postcode CM8 2TP. touch with its surroundings and 40 262 MAIN ROAD June (10.30-5). Adm £3.50, chd historic landscape providing interest Please follow yellow signs. Sun 9, enjoying stunning estuary views. A 48 PEACOCKS Hawkwell, Hockley, SS5 4NW. free. Home-made teas, cakes and enjoyment throughout the year. Sun 16, Sun 30 June (2-5). Adm wide variety of planting in mixed Main Road, Margaretting, Karen Mann, 07976 272999, and soft drinks. Highlights include: the Millennium £3.50, chd free. Home-made borders to suit different growing CM4 9HY. Phil Torr, 07802 472382, [email protected]. Large town garden with mature Walk designed for structure, colour teas, and cakes (incl gluten conditions and provide all year [email protected]. 3m NE of Rayleigh. From A127 at trees and shrubs made up of a and scent on the shortest days of free), savouries, teas, coffee, colour. Courtyard, reflection pool, Margaretting Village Centre. From Rayleigh Weir take B1013 towards series of garden rooms. Flower the year; the largest planting in soft drinks, herbal teas,. Visits large natural ponds, sculptures and village Xrds go 75yds in the direction Hockley. Garden on L after White beds, pond, summerhouse and Europe of Wollemi pine and the also by arrangement May & June barn for rainy day teas! Magnificent of Ingatestone, entrance gates will Hart Pub & village green. Sat 20 greenhouse giving all year interest. inspired combination of traditional for groups of 10 to 30. trees some over 300yrs old give this be found on L set back 50 feet July, Sun 18 Aug (12.30-5.30). Plenty of places to sit and relax and contemporary planting in An award-winning, medium-sized garden real presence. Most of the from the road frontage. Sun 9 garden described as a ‘‘Little Bit of garden is accessible by wheelchair June (1-4). Adm £5, chd free. Heaven’. A blaze of colour with via grass and gravel paths, There Light refreshments. Visits also roses, clematis, pergola, rose arch, are some steps and bark paths. by arrangement May & June for triple fountain with box hedging and e g C b groups of 20+. Please email or call deep herbaceous borders. See our owner for available dates BEFORE ‘Folly’, exuberant and cascading 46 N 23 NEW ROAD consulting your group. Donation hanging baskets...find our Secret Dagenham, RM10 9NH. to St Francis Hospice. Door. Featured in Garden Answers, John Seaman, 07504 712818, 5-acre garden with mature native Amateur Gardening and Essex Life. [email protected]. Leave A13 and specimen trees. Restored Tranquil seating areas. No access at the junction signed for A1306 horticultural buildings. Series of for wheelchair users as step up to - Dagenham & Hornchurch. Go garden rooms including Paradise garden. around the r’about following it off Garden, Garden of Reconciliation, g C b at the 4th exit. Then follow the 2nd Alhambra fusion. Long herbaceous/ r’about straight onwards. Sat 10, mixed border. Temple of Antheia on 44 MONKS COTTAGE Sun 11, Sat 24, Sun 25 Aug (12- the banks of a lily lake. Large areas Monks Lane, Dedham nr 5). Adm £4, chd free. Visits also for wildlife incl woodland walk, a Colchester, CO7 6DP. by arrangement July to Sept for nuttery and orchard. Traditionally Nicola Baker, 07860 173214, groups of 5 to 20. managed wild flower meadow. [email protected]. 6m This is an exotic garden, themed Sunken dell with waterfall. Display NE of Colchester. Leave Dedham on the foothills of the Himalayas of old Margaretting postcards. Small village with the church on L. Take in India. This garden will be like no art exhibition. Garden sculpture. 2nd main rd on R (Coles Oak Lane) other you may have seen before Wild flower meadow in traditional Monks Lane is 1st rd on L. Visits despite its modest size. It is filled orchard. Most of garden wheelchair by arrangement May to July with exquisite tropical plants accessible. for groups of 5 to 20. Adm £4, including Canna, Gingers and e C b chd free. Home made cakes Bananas. A feast for the eyes filled available from the Tea Shed. with good ideas for vertical space. ½ acre cottage garden on a sloping An extravaganza of plants in all Parsonage House site in the heart of the Dedham Vale. shapes, colour and form. A constantly evolving garden which g features mature trees, pond, box- 204 ESSEX ESSEX 205

49 18 PETTITS BOULEVARD and linger over tea, under a dreamy 54 ST HELENS acre created over the last 5 years, prior arrangement. Tea proceeds to 61 u SPENCERS Rise Park, Romford, RM1 4PL. Peter wisteria canopy while enjoying a High Street, Stebbing, enter to our gravel Bee Border full Lamarsh Church. Some ground may Tilbury Road, Great Yeldham, & Lynn Nutley. From M25 take A12 view of the garden. Gravel drive. CM6 3SE. Stephen & Joan of irises and tulips; wander in our be boggy in wet weather. CO9 4JG. Mr & Mrs Colin towards London, turn R at Pettits Lane e g C b Bazlinton, 01371 856495, Winter Wedding border and the e f C b Bogie, 01787 238175, junction then R again into Pettits Blvd [email protected]. 3m E of Woodlands Walk. Across the lawn [email protected], or Romford Stn then 103 or 499 bus to 52 79 ROYSTON AVENUE Great Dunmow. Leave Gt Dunmow you find the new double borders 59 SNARES HILL www.spencersgarden.net. Just N Romford Fire Stn and follow NGS signs. Chingford, E4 9DE. Paul & Christine on B1256. Take 1st L to Stebbing, at with flowing prairie planting. Lots of COTTAGE of Gt Yeldham on Tilbury Rd. In Sat 22, Sun 23 June, Sat 14, Sun Lidbury. From A406 Crooked Billet T-junction turn L into High St, garden seating and viewing spots. Garden Duck End, Stebbing, CM6 3RY. village centre, turn off A1017 at the 15 Sept (1-5). Adm £4, chd free. r’about take A112 towards Chingford. 2nd on R. Sat 27 Apr, Sat 1, Sat on a slight slope; gravel at front. Pete & Liz Stabler, 01371 856565, ‘Blasted Oak’ (huge oak stump). Home-made teas. Continue ½m, across T-lights 29 June (1-5). Adm £4.50, chd Wheelchair access restricted due to [email protected]. Between Keep L, following stream (signed The garden is 80ft x 23ft on (Morrison’s), Royston Ave is 3rd turn free. Home-made teas. Visits large amount of gravel. Dunmow & Bardfield. On B1057 ‘The Belchamps/Tilbury Juxta three levels with an ornamental on R. Bus 97, 158, 215, 357 (Leonard also by arrangement May to July. b from Great Dunmow to Great Clare’). Spencers is clearly signed pond, patio area with shrubs and Rd or Ainslie Wood Rd stops). Mon 27 Refreshments included in admission Bardfield, ½m after Bran End on L. on L after approx ½m. For NGS: perennials, many in pots. Large May (12-5). Adm £3.50, chd £1. fees. Donation to Dentaid. 57 N 4 SHEPHERDS Visits by arrangement Mar to Sun 30 June, Sun 8 Sept (2-5). eucalyptus tree leads to a woodland Home-made teas. Tea/coffee and A garden established over 40 years CLOSE Sept. Adm £5, chd free. Home- Adm £5, chd free. Home-made themed area with many ferns home-made cakes. Quality home- from a bog-ridden, cricket-bat Hadleigh, Benfleet, SS7 2LR. Mr made teas. teas. For other opening times and and hostas. There are agricultural brewed beer tastings available. plantation into a gently sloping & Mrs Tracey. Scrub Lane turn into A ‘quintessential English Garden’ information, please phone, email or implements and garden ornaments A 55 x 19ft urban garden with over woodland garden. Springs and Greenacres then into Shepherds - Gardeners World. Our quirky visit garden website. giving a unique and quirky feel to 600 different varieties of plants - a ponds divide the garden into Walk then turn R into Shepherds 1½ acre garden has surprises Romantic C18 walled garden the garden. There are also tranquil great many in containers, including different areas with various shrubs Close. Or, Dawes Heath Rd turn into round every corner and many laid out by Lady Anne Spencer, seating areas situated throughout. collections of Hostas, Acers, and and perennial planting. Partial Poors Lane, turn R Shepherds Walk. interesting sculptures. A natural overflowing with blooms following Agricultural implements on show. Sempervivums. An oasis for local wheelchair access. Sun 30 June (11-5). Adm £3.50, swimming pool is bordered by Tom Stuart-Smith’s renovation. e f b birds and wildlife with two small e b chd free. Home-made teas. romantic flower beds, herb garden Huge wisteria, armies of Lord ponds and insect habitats with further A South facing, secluded garden and Victorian folly. A bog garden Butler delphiniums (‘Rab’ lived at 50 THE PUNCHBOWL interest provided by ornaments, 55 30 SANDFORD ROAD backing on to nature reserve. borders woods and leads to silver Spencers). Spectacular rose and The Street, High Easter, Chelmsford, sculptures and artwork, where words Chelmsford, CM2 6DQ. John & Wide colourful borders feature a birch copse, beach garden and herbaceous borders. Parkland with CM1 4QW. Penny Kelsey. Centre of of gardening wisdom abound. Not Mary Hawkes. Limited parking for mixture of shrubs and herbaceous ‘Roman’ temple. Natural Swimming many specimen trees including High Easter. Next to the church. Wed suitable for young children. disabled only (gravelled). Roadside perennials. Tumbling roses over Pond. Classic cars. Sculptures. Not Armada Oaks. Victorian woodland walk along River Colne. 29 May (2-5). Adm £5, chd free. g b parking or park at nearby Chelmer an archway lead to a productive wheelchair friendly as it is a hilly Home-made teas. Village Retail Park CM2 6XE. Take vegetable garden and greenhouse. garden with some steep slopes. g C i b Found in the village centre next 53 footpath opp Next, cross T-lights The terrace boasts planted C b 69 RUNDELLS - THE 62 to the church, this garden offers a SECRET GARDEN (A138) 5mins walk, follow signage. terracotta pots with seasonal STRANDLANDS mixture of mature shrubs and trees Harlow, CM18 7HD. Mr & Mrs Sun 28 Apr, Sun 23 June (10-5). planting and an olive tree. 60 SOUTH SHOEBURY off Rectory Road, Wrabness, and coloured themed herbaceous K Naunton, 01279 303471, Adm £4, chd free. Home-made b HALL Manningtree, CO11 2TX. Jenny borders. Lawns and paths lead [email protected]. 3m from teas, coffee, cold drinks, home- Church Road, Shoeburyness, & David Edmunds, 01255 886260, through entertainment spaces littered J7 M11. A414 exit T-lights take L exit made cakes, sausage rolls, 58 SHRUBS FARM SS3 9DN. Mr & Mrs M [email protected]. 1km with animal sculptures. With a small Southern Way, mini r’about 1st exit scones. Lamarsh, Bures, CO8 5EA. Mr & Dedman, 01702 299022, along farm track from the corner pond and plenty of seating the garden Trotters Rd leading into Commonside Rd, A surprising ⅓ acre town garden Mrs Robert Erith, 01787 227520, [email protected]. 4m E of Rectory Rd. If using a SatNav, is accessible to wheelchairs. take 2nd L into Rundells. Sat 13 July which is divided into 3 areas. A [email protected], of Southend-on-Sea. Enter Southend the post code will leave you at the e f g C b (2-5). Adm £3, chd free. Home- formal garden with lawn, monkey www.shrubsfarm.co.uk. 1¼m from on A127 to Eastern Ave A1159 corner of Rectory Rd. Turn onto a made teas cakes, coffee and soft puzzle tree, flowering borders, Bures. On rd to Lamarsh, the drive signed Shoebury. R at r’about to join farm track, signed to Woodcutters 51 ROOKWOODS drinks. Visits also by arrangement fishpond, pergola with wisteria is signed to Shrubs Farm. Visits A13. Proceed S to Ness Rd. R into Cottage & Strandlands, & continue Yeldham Road, Sible Hedingham, June to Sept for groups of up to 30. and a large patio. Enter through by arrangement Apr to Oct Church Rd. Garden on L 50 metres. for 1km. Visits by arrangement CO9 3QG. Peter & Sandra As featured on Alan Tichmarsh’s the rose arbour into a shaded for groups of 5+. Adm £7, chd Sun 28 Apr, Sun 28 July (2-5). May & June for groups of 10 Robinson, 07770 957111, first ‘Love Your Garden’ series (‘The area with a variety of specimen free. Home-made teas. Wine & Adm £4, chd free. Home-made to 20. Adm £5, chd free. Light [email protected], Secret Garden’) 69, Rundells is a fruit and ornamental trees. Then canapes by arrangement £5 per teas. Visits also by arrangement refreshments. Tea, coffee & a www.rookwoodsgarden.com. 8m very colourful, small town garden finally, through a gate to a secret head. May to Aug for groups of 10+. slice of home made cake. NW of Halstead. Entering Sible packed with a wide variety of shrubs, landscaped kitchen garden. Limited 2 acres with shrub borders, lawns, Delightful, 1-acre established Cottage surrounded by 4 acres of Hedingham from the direction of perennials, herbaceous and bedding wheelchair access due to gravel roses and trees. 50 acres parkland walled garden surrounding Grade land bordering beautiful and unspoilt Haverhill on A1017 take 1st R just plants in over 200 assorted containers. drive and some uneven areas. with wild flower paths and woodland II listed house (not open) and bee Stour Estuary. One acre of decorative after 30mph sign. Mon 27 May Hard landscaping on different levels g b trails. Over 60 species of oak. house. Charming agapanthus and garden: formal courtyard with yew, (10-4.30). Combined adm with incl’s summer house, various seating Superb 10m views over Stour valley. hydrangea beds. April is ablaze with box and perovskia hedges, lily pond, Washlands £8, chd free. Home- areas and water features. Steep 56 SANDY LODGE Ancient coppice and pollards incl 3000 tulips and fritillaria. July shows summerhouse and greenhouse; made teas. Single adm £5. Visits steps. Access to adjacent allotment Howe Drive, Hedingham Road, largest goat (pussy) willow (Salix 200+ varieties of agapanthus incl 2 large island beds, secret ‘moon also by arrangement June to Sept open to view. Various small secluded Halstead, CO9 2QL. Emma & Rick caprea) in England. Wollemi and ‘Queen Mum’ and ‘Black Magic’. garden’, madly and vividly planted fr groups of up to 30. Tuesday, seating areas. A small fairy garden Rengasamy. 8m NE of Braintree. Norfolk pines, and banana trees. Unusual trees, shrubs, rose borders, ‘Madison’ garden, 3 acres of wildlife Wednesday and Friday Mornings. has been added to give interest for Turn off Hedingham Rd into Ashlong Full size black rhinoceros. Display of with 50yr old plus geraniums, meadows with groups of native trees, Rookwoods is a tranquil garden in younger visitors. The garden is next to Grove. Howe Drive is on L. Please Bronze Age burial urns. Large grass Mediterranean and Southern large wildlife pond, also riverside bird which you can enjoy a variety of a large allotment and this is open to park in Ashlong Grove & walk up maze. Guided Tour to incl garden, Hemisphere planting in dry garden. hide. View the Stour Estuary from mature trees; herbaceous borders; view with lots of interesting features Howe Drive. Sun 12 May, Sun 22 park and ancient woodland, historic C11 St Andrews Church open to our own bird hide. Grayson Perry’s a shrubbery; pleached hornbeam including a bee apiary. Honey and Sept (11-5). Adm £4.50, chd items including Bronze Age Burial visitors (by arrangement). Garden ‘A House for Essex’ can be seen just rooms; a work-in-progress wild other produce for sale (conditions free. Home-made teas. Urns and painting of the Stour valley close to sea. Bumper agapanthus one field away from Strandlands. flower bed; a buttercup meadow, permitting). A stunning garden, with amazing 200 years ago. Restored C18 Essex sale at both open days. Mostly accessible and flat although parking area is gravelled. and an ancient oak wood. There is g b views over Halstead, there is barn is available for refreshment by e f g C b no need to walk far, you can come something to see every day. ¾ e g b 206 ESSEX ESSEX 207

63 TUDOR ROOST B1039, take R turn to Chrishall. Bury walks along the R Chelmer from 39 HALFHIDES 18 Frere Way, Fingringhoe, Lane leading into Church Rd. You will the garden. Some gravel around the Chris Hamer, 01992 714047, Ulting Wick Colchester, CO5 7BP. Chris & find Two Cottages on your 1st L with house but main areas of interest are [email protected]. Linda Pegden, 01206 729831, an old planted boat on the bank. accessible for wheelchairs. Visits also by arrangement [email protected]. 5m S Sun 23, Sun 30 June (12-4). Adm e f g C b May to Sept for groups of 10 of Colchester. In Fingringhoe by £5, chd free. Home-made teas. to 20. Whalebone PH follow sign to Ballast Visits also by arrangement May to 67 14 UNA ROAD Quay, after ½m turn R into Brook July for groups of 10 to 30. Bowers Gifford, Basildon, 76 MONKSWOOD Hall Rd, then 1st L into Frere Way. Magic lurks within this charming SS13 2HU. Mr & Mrs John & AVENUE Sun 21, Mon 22 Apr, Sun 26, 1½ acre garden, which has evolved Barbara Spooner. 1m E of Basildon Cathy & Dan Gallagher, Mon 27 May, Sat 29, Sun 30 over 30 yrs. Many treasures hidden on B1464 between Pitsea & Saddlers 01992 714047, June, Sat 10, Sun 11 Aug (2-5). amongst a variety of planting. Over Farm r’about (A130/A13.) From [email protected]. Adm £4, chd free. Home-made 215 roses showcased in island Pitsea turn L into Pound Lane. From Visits also by arrangement teas. Large conservatory to sit borders. Meandering lawn paths lead Southend (A127) X A130/A1245 May to Sept for groups of 10 in if inclement weather. Visits through the wisteria walkway to find junction. 1m turn L & follow NGS to 20. also by arrangement Apr to Aug two miniature Shetland ponies at signs. Sat 13, Sun 14, Sat 20, for groups of 10 to 30. Adm £7 the bottom of the garden keen to Sun 21 July (11-5.30). Evening SILVER BIRCHES incl Tea & Cake. show off to guests. Tranquil seating opening Sat 7, Sat 14 Dec Linda & Frank Jewson, An unexpected hidden colourful areas, teas,cakes and gifts for sale (4.30-8). Adm £4, chd free. 01992 714047, ¼-acre garden. Well manicured in ‘The Shed’ shop. Large smoking Light refreshments. Christmas [email protected]. grassy paths wind round island dragon, once on display at Hampton refreshments will incl mulled Visits also by arrangement beds and ponds. Densely planted Court garden show. Superb views wine, tea and coffee and mince May to Sept for groups of 10 subtropical area with architectural over undulating countryside to the pies. to 20. and exotic plants - cannas, bananas, village church. Fragrance and colour A beautiful ½ acre garden featuring palms, agapanthus, agaves and tree that only Mother Nature can create. 2 ponds. Garden divided into Come and visit our four gardens ferns surround a colourful gazebo. Gifts for sale in ‘The Shed’. ‘rooms’ each with an interesting in the historic town of Waltham Garden planted to provide yr-round b view, drawing you on to the next Abbey. Silver Birches Lawns are colour and encourage wildlife. room. Small vegetable patch surrounded by mixed borders with Many peaceful seating areas. Within 66 ULTING WICK with greenhouse plus a family of mature shrubs and trees. The pond 1m of Fingringhoe Wick Nature Crouchmans Farm Road, gnomes. Summer openings plus is covered in water lilies and is home Reserve. PLEASE CONFIRM Maldon, CM9 6QX. Mr & Mrs B two winter special opening events to much wildlife. Take a short stroll OPENING DATES ON NGS Burrough, 01245 380216, philippa. with Christmas lights, seasonal in the hidden woodland walk before WEBSITE OR TELEPHONE. [email protected], refreshments available during both enjoying tea and homemade cake. f g C b www.ultingwickgarden.co.uk. 3m openings. WC available. 39 Halfhides the owner has evolved NW of Maldon. Take R turning to b her garden over 50 years. Deep 64 37 TURPINS LANE Ulting off B1019 as you exit Hatfield perennial borders and a small pond Chigwell, IG8 8AZ. Fabrice Aru & Peverel by a green. Garden on R after which leads to a stream and a Martin Thurston, 0208 5050 739, 2m. Sun 28 Apr (11-5). Light GROUP OPENING larger pond in the secluded shade [email protected]. refreshments. Fri 3 May, Fri 28 garden. There is an opportunity to Between Woodford & Epping. Tube: June (2-5). Home-made teas. 68 WALTHAM ABBEY purchase many of the plants used Chigwell, 2m from North Circular Mon 26 Aug, Fri 6 Sept (2-5). GROUP GARDENS in this garden. 76 Monkswood - a Rd at Woodford, follow the signs for Adm £5, chd free. Homeade Waltham Abbey, plantswomans garden with mixed Chigwell (A113) through Woodford soup using ingredients from the EN9 1LG. 01992 714047, borders, greenhouse and wildlife Bridge into Manor Rd & turn L, Bus garden, filled rolls & home- [email protected]. pond. You may also be tempted to 275 & W14. Sun 30 June, Sun 28 made teas on 28 April. Visits also M25, J26 to Waltham Abbey. At purchase one of the many Victorian July (11-6). Adm £4, chd free. by arrangement Mar to Oct for T-lights by McD turn R to r’about. chimney pots which are on sale from Visits also by arrangement May to groups of 15+. Introductory talks Take 2nd exit to next r’about. Take the wildlife friendly front garden. Nov for groups of up to 10. upon arrival. Donation to All Saints 3rd exit (A112) to T-lights. L to 62 Eastbrook Road - winner of An unexpected hidden, magical, Ulting Church. Monkswood Av. Sun 2 June, Sun Gardeners World magazine ‘Best part-walled garden showing how Listed black barns provide backdrop 1 Sept (12-5.30). Combined Small Space’ and ‘Judges’ choice much can be achieved in a small for vibrant and exuberant planting adm £6, chd free. Home- 2017’ and described as a ‘circular space. An oasis of calm with in 8 acres. Thousands of colourful made teas at Silver Birches, seclusion’ (please note limited densely planted rich, lush foliage, tulips, flowing innovative spring Quendon Drive. Visits also by parking and approx. 7 mins walk tree ferns, hostas, topiary and planting, herbaceous borders, arrangement May to Sept for from other gardens). 62 Eastbrook an abundance of well maintained pond, mature weeping willows, groups of 10 to 20. We are able to Rd and Halfhides are not suitable for shrubs complemented by a small kitchen garden, dramatic late make arrangements for a special wheelchairs. afternoon tea event. pond and 3 water features designed summer beds with zingy, tender, g b for yr round interest. exotic plant combinations. Drought a tolerant perennial and mini annual 62 EASTBROOK ROAD 65 TWO COTTAGES wild flower meadows. Woodland. Caroline Cassell, 07973 551196, Church Road, Chrishall, Saffron Many plants propagated in-house. [email protected]. Walden, SG8 8QT. Michelle Lots of unusual plants for sale. All Visits also by arrangement Thomas, 07581 745130, Saints Church Ulting will be open [email protected]. 7m in conjunction with the garden for June to Sept for groups of 5 talks on its history. Beautiful dog to 10.

© GL Harpur W of Saffron Walden. Continue on 208 ESSEX ESSEX 209

69 WASHLANDS sloping garden, about 5 acres perennials and shrubs nestled into 74 WICKETS follow the yellow signs to Writtle Extended naturalised bulb areas Prayors Hill, Sible of informal ‘family’ garden with a tiny plot. Shady fernery walk with Langley Upper Green, Village. Sun 23 June (12-5). on front campus lawns. Renovated Hedingham, CO9 3LE. To n y mixed planting for year-round white hydrangeas, waterfalls, pond CB11 4RY. Susan & Doug Combined adm £6, chd free. Rockery Open Day is coordinated & Sarah Frost, 01787 460732, interest. Some wildlife areas and and blooms surrounding a lush Copeland, 01799 550553, by Level 3 Horticultural Students [email protected]. ¼m wild flower area bordering part of lawn provide interest all summer [email protected]. 7m who are on hand to assist visitors. NW of Sible Hedingham Church. the garden. Large pond is haven long. Front garden has fragrant W of Saffron Walden, 10m N of 8 THE GREEN Some gravel, however majority of CM1 3DU. Andrea Johnson. At former Sugar Loaves Pub on for frogs! Interesting selection of flowers and shrub borders, with Bishops Stortford. At Newport take areas accessible to all. A1017 turn SW into Rectory Rd, R trees. Old Wenden Grange, is a roses, enclosed by box hedging B1038 After 3m turn R at Clavering, 65 ONGAR ROAD e g C b at former White Horse Pub, pass young garden designed, landscaped and topiary for an evergreen signed Langley. Upper Green is 3m CM1 3NA. Doug & Jean Pinkney. ¼ St Peters Church on R, m NW and completed in July 2016. The curb appeal. Small back garden further on. At cricket green turn R. 78 WYCHWOOD on Prayors Hill. Mon 27 May garden features meandering paths is a profusion of delicate cottage House 200m on R. Mon 6 May 40 ST JOHNS ROAD CM1 3EB. Catherine Eubanks. Epping Road, Roydon, Harlow, (2-5). Combined adm with past a fountain to fire pit area style planting in a scented, white, (12-5). Combined adm with CM19 5DW. Mrs Madeleine Rookwoods £8, chd free. Sun 23 surrounded by planting. The path cream and pastel colour scheme. Clavering Gardens £8, chd Paine, 01279 792172, June, Sun 7 July (2-5). Adm £5, is bordered by lawn and flower Inspiration from Beatrix Potter free. Home-made teas. Single Three contrasting, colourful and interesting gardens to enjoy in the [email protected]. chd free. Home-made teas. Visits beds with a mixture of hedging, Tales and the White Garden at adm £5, child free. Opening At Tylers Cross r’about head in the also by arrangement June & July grasses, bamboos and perennials. Sissinghurst. New white wooden with Langley Village Gardens delightful village of Writtle. 8 The Green offers creatively planted direction of Roydon. You will find for groups of 20+. Coach parking A large raised flower bed has a archway clothed in roses and on Sun 26 May. Visits also by the garden on R approx 400 metres by arrangement. variety of grasses, phormium and clematis in front entrance. Victorian arrangement in June for groups borders and a tapestry of colour, texture and form, with perennials, from the r’about. Parking is available Charming one-acre country box hedging. Wendens Ambo is a greenhouse. Bird nesting boxes, of 10+. in Redrick’s nursery next to garden. garden surrounding a former meandering historic village with a unusual glass and rusted iron Peaceful country garden ‘Far shrubs, ornamental trees, annuals and alpines, and a south-facing Sun 16 June (12-5.30). Adm £4, farmhouse,with good views over busy B road through village. Please sculptures. New potting shed with from the Madding Crowd’. Wide, chd free. Home-made teas. Visits rolling countryside. A former use car parks. Beware. There is a beautiful cedar shingle roof and informal mixed borders include, summerhouse. The front of the new garden at 40 St John’s Road has been also by arrangement May to Sept horse pond features a beach a lack of pavements in places so stable door. Rabbit hutch with roof shrub roses and perennials. for groups of 10 to 20. with landing stage. Rose garden, take great care if walking on the top miniature alpines. Two landscaped meadows and designed to encourage wildlife, with the rear garden offering a surprising A garden of around ¾ of an acre wide herbaceous, shrub and road. Village very close to Audley g b shepherd’s hut with fine pastoral contrast, with a more modern, with a large pond, attracting much woodland borders, hidden walks End House. Crossways and Old views. Large lily pond sheltered wildlife, as well as the owners resident and opportunities to sit and relax. Wenden Grange wheelchair access by silver birch. Griffin Glasshouse landscaped Italian feel. The garden 73 N 1 WHITEHOUSE at 65 Ongar Road will transport ducks. Free ranging chickens roam in Alpines, grasses and alliums. to most areas. No wheelchair COTTAGES nearby. Curvilinear design links the shrubbery and budgerigar aviary. Featured in Essex Life. Come and access to 3 Church Path. themed planting areas. Espalier visitors to tropical destinations, Blue Mill Lane, Woodham Walter, with its colour and “summer living” There are numerous features incl, see! Woodland walk unsuitable for e b Maldon, CM9 6LR. Mrs Shelley apples enclose parterre with vegetable and fruit plot, mixed shrub wheelchairs. standard weeping roses. Secluded features. No refreshments are a Rand. In between Maldon & offered at these gardens. But Writtle and herbaceous borders, 1920’s e f g C b Dry Garden. Gravel drive. Danbury, a short drive from A12. offers a number of pubs and cafes, summer house and Scandinavian e g C b 71 N WEST END From the A414 Danbury, turn L incl the renowned Tiptree Tea cabin. English roses are a particular COTTAGE at The Anchor & continue into the Room in Lordship Rd. The ancient feature of the garden. Lake fully GROUP OPENING Drury Lane, Ridgewell, nr village. Directly after the white village 75 N WOODBURN and traditional village of Writtle, stocked with fish and inhabited by Halstead, CO9 4SL. Louise Frayne. gates at the far end of the village, COTTAGE resident ducks. Sit in the Norwegian 70 WENDENS AMBO with its delightful Norman church, On A1017 Ridgewell is 3m S of turn R into Blue Mill Lane. Sun Borley, Sudbury, CO10 7AE. village green and pond, dates back to hut and enjoy your refreshments. GARDENS Haverhill or 2m N of Gt Yeldham. 19 May (10.30-5). Adm £3.50, Rebecca Gorringe. Essex/Suffolk g b Saffron Walden, CB11 4JX. Parking pre-Roman times, and was featured In village follow sign for village hall. chd free. Sun 16 June (10.30- border. Turn L immed after crossing in the Doomsday Book. at village hall nr Church for 3 Church Cottage on L a little way past hall. 5). Combined adm with Elwy R Stour at Rodbridge. Up hill with Path. Parking near Crossways. a 79 WYCKE FARM Sat 4 May, Sun 9 June (10-5). Lodge £7.50, chd free. Home- Borley Church on R. At top of hill Pages Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Parking next to Old Wenden Grange. Adm £4.50, chd free. Home- made teas. small green with finger post. Carry All signed on day. Gardens are not 77 WRITTLE UNIVERSITY Maldon, CM9 8AB. Nancy & made teas. Nestled betwixt farmland in rural straight on, garden is property on L. Anthony Seabrook. 5m E of within walking distance. Sun 16 A beautiful and inspiring garden set Essex, is our small secret garden, Sun 8 Sept (12-5). Adm £4, chd COLLEGE June (2-5). Combined adm £7, Writtle, CM1 3RR. Maldon, 10m SW of Colchester. out as several “rooms” namely a knot that has a wonderful charm and free. Home-made teas. Writtle University College, B1023 from Tolleshunt D’Arcy 1m chd free. Home-made teas at garden, gravel garden, alpine garden serenity to it. Set in 3½ acres, A recently renovated cottage Crossways. www.writtle.ac.uk. 4m W of towards Tollesbury. Turn R into Pages with lawned areas and stunning mostly paddocks, a little plot garden, with the scheme of hardy Chelmsford. On A414, nr Writtle Lane. Follow for 1m to Wycke Farm. herbaceous borders. The garden of loveliness wraps around our perennials devised by a professional village. Wed 22 May, Sun 8 Fri 17, Sun 19 May (11-5). Adm 3 CHURCH PATH is stocked with a variety of plants, Victorian cottage, and roses garden designer. Planting insect Sept (10-3.30). Adm £5, chd £4.50, chd free. Home-made Ms Liz Hartley. water features and hard landscaping smother the porch in June. A friendly. Also features a copse, free. Light refreshments in The teas. and demonstrates just how creative meandering lawn takes you through with a natural pond, and a beehive. Garden Room (main campus) Large cottage style farmhouse CROSSWAYS a garden can be with all year round beds and borders softly planted Newly planted orchard. Stumpery Mrs Andrea Reynolds. & The Lordship tea room garden situated in the peaceful interest. Short gravel drive. with a cottage feel, a haven for created in 2018. Ornamental fish (Lordship campus). Essex countryside with mature N OLD WENDEN e b wildlife and people alike. Dean pond. Three resident alpacas. Has 15 acres; informal lawns with trees, mixed borders, vegetables, GRANGE Harris a local blacksmith will have far reaching views towards the naturalised bulbs and wild flowers. greenhouses and a small flock of a pop-up forge on-site making and Mr & Mrs Paul & Ruth Hitch. 72 THE WHITE GARDEN Belchamp Brook. Tea and cake. Large tree collection, mixed shrubs, sheep. Developed from a neglected 35 Langdon Road, Rayleigh, selling metal plant accessories on e f b herbaceous borders. Landscaped state over 12 years ago with a fine 3 Church Path, a quintessential SS6 9HY. Mrs Louise Reed. From the day of your visit. Buy plants and gardens designed and built by view of the Blackwater Estuary. cottage garden adjacent to historic A129 turn R into Langdon Rd. Sun teas too. Parking available a short students. Landscaped glasshouses Walk to estuary, 1200 metres. church set behind a chocolate box 19 May, Sun 23 June (12-5). walk up the lane near The Cats pub. GROUP OPENING and wide range of seasonal bedding Some gravel and grass paths. thatched cottage. Terraced garden Adm £3.50, chd free. Light Unsuitable for wheelchairs unless displays. New Dry/Mediterranean e g C b 76 with a range of mixed shrubs, refreshments. you’re intrepid. WRITTLE GARDENS garden designed and built by staff Chelmsford, CM1 3NA. Writtle can perennials, beautiful clematis and A delightful white garden with g b and students on our RHS courses. be approached from 3 directions. roses. Hidden vegetable garden 100 David Austin roses, unusual Herbaceous perennial borders. and fruit trees. Crossways, a gently From the A1060, A1016 and A414