The warmer weather has finally arrived – as I write, it’s twenty degrees with somewhat cloudy but blue skies – and who knows how long that may last, considering the typical British weather. With Summer in full force, it’s made me appreciate more garden spaces. From the garden at home and my mission of trying to keep the dog away from decimating the strawberry plants, to visiting garden spaces out in the community, nature is awash with colourful beauty.
Hidden Gems and Secret Spaces
I recently discovered a hidden gem in the form of Jesmond Community Orchard. This Community Orchard is nestled at the back of St Andrews Cemetery in Jesmond and is the perfect place to enjoy some blissful solitude. Home to local wildlife, apple trees and an array of flowers, this is a space to sit and enjoy nature.
I sat on the picnic benches and read a book in the sunshine when I visited, but this greenspace also hosts communal events, most recently the Jesmond Community Festival in May.
It got me thinking about more secret garden spaces around our communities and I have been trying to find more in my days out around the region.
National Garden Scheme Adventures
In the early 1900s, the National Garden Scheme was born, opening thousands of private gardens across the country and raising impressive amounts of money for various nursing and health charities through admissions, cake stalls and more.
I recently visited their open day for Ferndene House at Ryton. Located just off Ferndene Park, this is a beautiful private ¾ acre garden surrounded by trees, areas of perennials, wildlife ponds and more. It even leads off to a Dene with a boardwalk, and a stream – otherwise known as the Holburn Beck – flows through the woodland, which is also believed to be the remains of an ancient woodland area.
Surrounded by snowdrops, tulips, bluebells and forget-me-nots, it was almost as though the garden had been plucked from the pages of a story. I was in heaven there, sitting, immersing myself in the sights and smells of nature, and taking creative inspiration from it. It also gave me quite the workout, as the Dene is accessed by a few steep stairs downwards, and although this makes it not fully accessible, redeveloping work is ongoing. Of course, since the garden opened to the public, there were also plant sales, a cake stall and a pizza oven, catering for all (including the dogs). And I didn’t mind contributing money as it all goes to worthwhile causes.
I would strongly suggest looking at the National Garden Scheme and following up to see if they open a garden near you (at the time of writing, they were opening Hill House in Hexham). With gardens all around the Northumberland, Durham and Teesside areas, this is the prime time to visit one of their stunning venues.
National Trust Expeditions
I will always shout out about National Trust and English Heritage spaces, and this time you can visit them more easily thanks to Go North East.
The Belsay and Wallington Express X75 bus is back, providing free travel to all travellers to Belsay Hall and Wallington, connecting Haymarket Bus Station in Newcastle to these fantastic spaces. Running every Saturday until 7th September, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
At Wallington, visit the impressive home of Sir Charles Trevelyan, as well as the spectacular walled gardens nestled in the woods. Discover the new White Border, thought to be the longest in the UK, designed with a long flowering season in mind, and helps plenty of insects and birds.
Belsay Hall, meanwhile, allows you to explore thirty acres of enchanting gardens, including the formal gardens and the Quarry Garden, which takes you on a journey through a dramatic rocky ravine.
Even if you don’t take advantage of the Go Northeast link, there are plenty of National Trust and English Heritage sites around. Each has stunning displays, especially in their gardens throughout the year. For example, take in the Rhododendrons at Cragside, Seaton Deleval’s Laburnum Arch and the blossoms at Cherryburn.
Summer and gardens are in full bloom, and whether we take advantage of them from our homes or throughout the community, they are the perfect places to admire, relax and appreciate all that nature has to offer. They can be inspiring and uplifting, and if you spot that next hidden gem of a garden, feel free to recommend it to others!
