Hillcrest

About Hillcrest

Hillcrest is a six acre garden. It is beautiful, productive and wildlife-friendly with so many special places within it that everyone can find a spot to sit and contemplate. There is even a Standing Stone. There is a large raised- bed produce garden, and a large gravel
garden made from a reclaimed old tennis court. These both are on recently acquired land
next to and now part of the whole garden.
Leaving the car parking area one walks through an old orchard of mostly cider apples planted when the house was built in 1925. From spring to early summer there is a succession
of various bulbs with clematis meandering up the trees. Leaving the orchard, enter
the semi-walled garden with a large greenhouse, asparagus and ornamental beds that merge
gently into a small grassy area with a semi- glazed gazebo and gravel garden behind. From here,one then moves on to the woodland garden inspired ,in part, by a visit to Knightshayes, and planted with ornamental birch, acers, cercis and much more. There are stumperies and a
rose pergola with a dragonfly motif in it’s centre. The woodland garden opens onto a large
lawn with ponds, shrubs and extensive views across the levels including both Burrow Mump and Glastonbury Tor. Here you will find a large granite standing stone that has many stories attached to it, some of which are true! The boundary between this part of the garden and the wildflower meadow is a delightfully eclectic mix of bushes picked up in end of season sales or left over from other projects. Passing through a rose arch into another orchard one comes to the edge of the meadow and can wander down through mown paths to the large wildlife pond. Behind the pond is an area of native woodland and on the way back up an area of new trees planted to celebrate various meaningful birthdays. Going back up to the house there is a large sheltered area to enjoy tea and cake and other refreshments on offer and an opportunity to browse the plant sales (or, of course one can always do that first).
Refreshments on open days are payed for separately to admission fee. For visits by appointment, refreshments are included in the price of £10.