About Eaton Bishop Gardens
Three properties which are amongst the oldest in the village.
Martins Croft, which was originally the vicarage, has an area of between a quarter and a third of an acre . It is a semi formal garden featuring an elliptical lawn with a central, large pond containing various cold water fish species and a range of waterlilies and iris The pond is bordered by formal rose beds. The borders and flower beds in the garden feature a number of camellias, rhododendrons and acers and other trees and shrubs. There are a number of tall bearded iris in their own beds and in groups in other borders etc. Roses also feature strongly in this garden.
The Old Post Office garden (¾ acre) falls gently away from the back of the house to countryside beyond. Its curving contours flow around a wildlife pond, groups of trees and family spaces, finally arriving at a curved no-dig vegetable area. Pockets of planting enhance the overall effect.
The garden as you see it is less than ten years old. It reflect the owners’ desire to be environmentally responsible and yet create a garden that compliments the irregular timber-framed Listed house. Vital repairs to the rear of the house required the land level to be lowered: this generated many tons of crushed concrete and soil – providing opportunities to create practicality and beauty from chaos. Designing gardens professionally for others gave confidence to do the same here.
Each of the three interconnecting curved lawns has its own atmosphere. The top lawn with its wildlife pond and surrounding trees leads to the second lawn, ideal for relaxing with family and friends. The curved semi-circular bank around the second lawn swings around it and continues round the opposite side of the lowest lawn. These banks give a three-dimensional effect to the grassed areas. They look wonderfully different through the seasons with a variety of light, shade and colour – and even frost!
The lowest lawn includes an area of no-dig vegetable beds and compost bays – still at an experimental stage. As you wend your way back towards the entrance you will see the best view of the house enhanced by its garden.
ral shrubs.
The White House is the largest of the three gardens. There is a large informal lake containing waterlilies close to the woodland area which is underplanted with spring flowering bulbs and The is a monkey puzzle tree planted about 15 years ago and some ageing fruit trees in the run used by the chickens.
Tickets sold from the barn in The White House where plant sales and refreshments can also be purchased.
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