The 2007 Garden Trail

After a warm welcome at the Tourist Information Centre and buying her map at the meagre price of £2, Ann Sandell set off excitedly (it doesn’t take much) in stout shoes for the ninth annual Garden Trail...


I don’t know how they manage it, all that hard work getting the gardens ready for showing and always making the sun shine as well!

And this year was no exception after the appalling weather that has had a detrimental effect on all gardens this year.

I did notice however, that all the 29 gardens this year were looking fresh whereas in some years the heat had taken some bedding plants over their best.
Time and space will not allow me to mention all the spectacular flowers and plants that I encountered but I will do my best to let you know some of my highlights. Please do not be offended if your garden is not detailed, compliments go to everyone who has worked so hard in often difficult conditions this year.

13 North Road
The smallest ‘walk around’ garden, 81 pots and containers with a brilliant watering system to each pot and hanging basket which allows for time away from home. A lovely little walled private courtyard to sit making the most of the space available.

The Granary
I was greeted by the owners who have been here just 2 years. It had taken a while to learn which plants flourished in the local climate and there had been a lot of hard work shifting manure.
I particularly loved the shady back bed with ferns, lilac flowering Hosta and a particularly pretty lilacy pink Hydrangea. In fact the Hostas and Hydrangeas were spectacular everywhere this year.

Day Centre
Their brick raised beds at the back are NW facing exposed to the worst of the recent driving rain this year. Inside however, I was greeted by the heady scent of freshly picked sweetpeas arranged in vases on the tea tables and spent an enjoyable quarter of an hour having coffee and biscuits.
They had a lovely display of home-baking and fresh produce. I couldn’t resist a bunch of cut lavender tied with a lilac ribbon for £1, the scent wafted from my bag for the rest of my walk.

Gig House
I passed through Fletcher House garden, a well matured cottage garden with a wonderful deep pink Hydrangea at the entrance to the throughway for Gig House.
eside this coach-house conversion lays a courtyard with pots, troughs and stone raised beds with a continental feel.
There is a large trough raised pond complete with goldfish, a romantic statue and a French style summerhouse all quite a surprise in such a northern town.

West View
Always fantastic, better than ever despite the weather, this walled garden with mature borders, unusual pond and circular lawn. An overwhelming secret garden, not to be missed.
On show were photographs showing the development of the garden since 1980 and you can see the hard work it has taken. This garden was open last week as part of the National Gardens Scheme to raise money for the Marie Curie charity.

My highlight this year was a bed of Astilbe in varying shades of pink.

Fletcher Hill
A mature garden, I particularly liked the unusual layout. Lavenders and a herb bed and an area for the wildlife with Teasels and Foxgloves.

Manor Barn
Word had already gone round “Make sure you don’t miss Manor Barn”.
After the long detour round Manor Court, I entered the gate of Manor Barn next to a purple Buddleia and a batch of quiz sheets designed to make this trail more interesting for children.
I was amazed; it is stunning, such a lovely layout with pond, bubbling brook and circular water feature as well as borders and paths crossing the lawned areas.
The residents have transformed the garden from mainly lawn since they moved in four years ago. They admit to having some help with the layout and planting They are so fortunate to have the space to be so creative.
The beds are covered in wood bark chips to keep the weeds down and the moisture in, which makes for low maintenance. Rain water from the barn conversion guttering is diverted into the pond where it is allowed to overflow into the wet margin bed.
Even in the recent wet spell they have not had a problem with too much water. The water is then recycled with a pump via the circular feature and brook. They have also had time to grow neat rows of vegetables including corn to the side of the house.
I loved the fragrant water mint growing in the brook which has the added bonus of purifying the water.
I do hope they continue to open this garden to visitors.

Manor Lea
Over the wall but again via Manor Court is Manor Lea, now an attractive well established garden. They have suffered with the recent downpours and the lawn was still a puddle.
We sat and discussed the enormous ornamental cherry tree with massive girth, it must be getting on for a 100 years old. Perhaps someone could tell us its history. Beautiful blossom in spring but alas no cherries to eat. So when you buy that little cherry sapling, despite what the nursery might tell you, it can grow to gigantic proportions.

Kirkby Stephen East Station
The transformation of the old Bobbin Factory back into a nostalgic station continues. The work to the station, carriages, engines and surroundings is continuous and slowly they are making tremendous progress. Well worth a look at the latest developments.
But I digress; we are here to see the garden. A triangular bed has been made next to the current entrance and filled with plants which are slowly maturing. I learnt of the hard work that has gone into making this in digging out rubbish and masses of Mare’s Tail over a two year period.

School House
I returned to Kirkby Stephen via Station Road and Nateby Road to a well earned cream tea at School House. I must admit to missing out the main station and the usual fantastic array of bedding but I will see it another day when catching a train.
Back to the scone in a walled garden with double patio and room enough for a party. The house and school walls form a secluded area, lovely on a summer’s day. I loved the herbs pouring out of Italian style terracotta urns.
Well done to everyone, I look forward to next year.