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Lillesley Barn

Dry gravel garden (inspired by the Beth Chatto Garden) inc variety of Mediterranean plants, ornamental grasses and herbs. Large herbaceous borders, pleached hornbeam hedge, rose arbours and small orchard. The garden contains various species of trees inc birch, amelanchier and willow in less than an acre of garden bordered on two sides by fields.

Owner Info

Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn
Lillesley Barn

About Lillesley Barn

The front courtyard garden has evolved over the last few years with the climate in mind. The dry gravel garden was created in 2016 inspired by visits to the Beth Chatto garden. We have incorporated many of the plants that Beth found would survive drought conditions; mainly those found in the mediterranean and various grasses. We have also welcomed the large collection of aquilegias and digitalis that have chosen to seed in the gravel and have allowed the garden to flow over boundaries. The gravel courtyard is edged with a fig, olives, giant echiums and herbs to keep the mediterranean feel. A shadier corner of the courtyard introduces ferns and hostas.

The rear garden is entered through a gate beside a woven rusted iron fence. Passing under a rose arch, a large steeply sloping herbaceous border with a large variety of perennials and some roses sweeps around a red brick seating area and lawn bordered with lavender, climbing roses and agapanthus.

The lawn leads under weeping birches to a larger lawned area, alongside another red brick seating area under the birch trees bordered with large potted hydrangeas; and a wider lawn bordered with a row of pleached hornbeam and ornamental shrub borders. A summerhouse looks across the lawn, and is fronted with a path leading between two flower beds which contain tulips, Benton Irises, foxtail lilies, alliums and roses, followed by dahlias, cosmos and other annuals for cutting later in the summer. The small orchard is entered through a cleft oak gate in a hornbeam hedge and contains a variety of fruit trees including young medlar and quince trees. From the garden there are wonderful views of Kersey church.

Featured in The English Garden – Spring 2022

Location details

Lillesley Barn,
Ipswich,
Suffolk,
IP7 6ED

Directions to Lillesley Barn
Driveway is 200m above 'The Bell' pub. Lillesley Barn is situated behind 'The Ancient Houses'. Parking is on street.

Lillesley Barn openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £6.00
Child: £3.00
Opening times 10:00-17:00

Visit by Arrangement

This garden opens for By Arrangement visits from May to September for groups of up to 40.

Please contact the garden owner to discuss your requirements and arrange a date for a group or bespoke visit.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £7.00
Child: £3.00

Accessibility

  • Not suitable for wheelchair access due to deep gravel, uneven ground and a slope.
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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Lillesley Barn at this time.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Lillesley Barn, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Sorry, Lillesley Barn does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. Lillesley Barn seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.