Long Crendon; A community of gardeners

There is a picturesque village in Buckinghamshire called Long Crendon that perhaps not many have heard of, but its starring cast of gardens and garden owners are sure to put it firmly on the map. A changing cast of gardens, great and small, have been opening for the National Garden Scheme since 1978 – some for longer with Barry’s Close chalking up thirty years this spring. They bring together open vistas, lakes, organic gardens and natural swimming ponds, formal planting, vegetable patches, wildlife areas and orchards, but what connects them all is their owner’s passion for gardening and the health benefits that brings with it.

Join some of the garden owners now as they share their gardens which have helped take the stress out of isolation at this difficult time and provide daily solace and moments for mindfulness in their busy lives:

A closer look…

The gardens that would have opened this year are:

Bakers Close:  A partly walled 2 acre garden on a south west slope with terraced lawns, rockery, shrubs and a wild area. With spring planting of thousands of daffodils, narcissi and tulips.

Barrys Close: A 2 acre garden with a collection of spring flowering and trees forming a backdrop to borders and a water garden with spring fed pools and a vegetable garden.

Brindles: A totally organic garden with several ‘rooms’ honouring the richness of plant life and the wild life if supports. The garden includes a natural swimming pond, enclosure with bees hives, rose and vegetable garden and a developing wild flower area. The garden is used in psychotherapy and healing work to connect people with Mother Earth and her bounty.

Cop Close: With views towards the Chilterns this garden has a formal area, sloping wild flower bank, bog garden, vegetable garden and cutting garden. In front of the house are four magnificent beech trees under planted for shade.

25 Elm Trees: Cottage style organic garden planted to encourage wild life. There’s a large selection of spring bulbs in deep borders, spring flowering trees and shrubs under planted with primroses, hellebores, pulmonarias and forget-me-nots, a wild life pond and orchard.

Lopemede Farm: At the heart of Lopemead Farm lies a recently created formal courtyard with pleached trees, lawn and raised beds planted with a mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables. The garden also comprises a small orchard, wild areas, soft fruit bed and a large irrigated greenhouse containing a mix of tomato varieties. Established borders and a multitude of containers compliment this design.

Manor House: 4 acres with fine open views towards the Chilterns. Two ornamental lakes and a large variety of spring bulbs and shrubs. Deep mixed borders use different plantings to suit the variety of conditions.

Tompsons Farm: A large woodland garden with mature trees and shrubs, lawns sweeping down to a lake and recently planted borders.

For more about the gardens and to keep an eye on openings click here 

We are hugely indebted to the garden owners of the Long Crendon gardens and to Flashcat Productions Cathy Jones (who lives in Long Crendon) for this beautiful film and photographs.

This film is being released during our Gardens and Health Week. For more information click here

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