Sunday 26 October 2014

Garden Visiting In October - Part One

Gardens are generally winding down at this time of year but there's still plenty of interest in a well designed space.

We sometimes visit Oakwell Hall and its grounds in Birstall when taking Archie for a walk, there's 110 acres of country park, ideal for him to have a good run. Although Archie came with us on this visit, we were primarily there to visit the walled garden.

These are the steps at the back of the hall which lead you in to the walled garden.


Looking back, you can see the rear of the hall.


Though the garden isn't filled with colour at the moment, there are splashes here and there from the Michaelmas daisies and sedum.





I can imagine that the garden will look good right the way through winter as it has a wonderful structure from evergreen plants.



There's some beautiful trees in the garden too.



The borders have now seen better days, but you can see how well stocked they are.


Fruit trees are trained along the walls. There's some wonderful, old varieties here and they're well labelled.


Can you see the label on this tree? It's Isaac Newton's tree.


It was propagated from a tree growing in Isaac Newton's garden at Woolsthorpe Manor in Grantham, Lincolnshire. While sitting under this tree, the "notion of gravitation came into his mind occasion'd by the fall of an apple".


A sign warns visitors that they are approaching the hives.


Bee hives are tucked away in the corner of this garden. There were lots of bees buzzing around and you can see them at the entrance to the hives in this photo.


Wherever you look, there's no getting away from the fact that it's now autumn. The berries, fruit and fallen leaves add to the delights which the garden offers at this time of year.






We left through the back gate and entered another garden.


I shall tell you about that in my next post.

24 comments:

  1. It would be really useful to locals like us if you could set up a list if the lovely garden visits posts on a page linked to the sidebar. You've provided such useful insights but I'm sure to forget the places you've visited,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll definitely get round to doing that for you. Oakwell Hall is a lovely place, not just for garden visiting but if you fancy taking Tivvy somewhere new. It's a lovely place for dog walking.

      Delete
  2. What a lovely place. Walled gardens are wonderful aren't they, I do love to see fruit trees on the walls, and how nice that they're labelled. There's a walled garden near here at a country park we visit, but none of the fruit trees there are labelled which is such a shame.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I appreciate it when plants are labelled, and in this instance, not only do the labels state their name but also give some information about the variety which is very interesting. We enjoy visiting Oakwell Hall, it's a lovely place to take a stroll.

      Delete
  3. A fine looking house and garden Jo. Archie must enjoy his strolls there. Great to see the bee hives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Archie loves the grounds, there's plenty of places for him to have a good run around. It's good to see bee hives in the garden, it was interesting watching all the bees going about their business and returning to the hives with their goods.

      Delete
  4. A most enjoyable post and lovely photos. It looks and sounds like a place that's good to visit at any time of the year. Walled gardens seem to have a special appeal to many of us. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We usually walk around the grounds when we visit as we're there to give Archie a run, but I shall make sure I visit the gardens now, it will be interesting to see them in full bloom during the summer months.

      Delete
  5. It would look good in winter wouldn't it, it shows off its structure well. I'm surprised there isn't more autumn colour though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were splashes of colour here and there but no proper statements of colour really. I think it will come in to its own in winter when it can really show off its structure.

      Delete
  6. A stroll around a park or walled garden at this time of the year has a special charm as there's still lots to see and enjoy. It's good that Archie can also have a run in the grounds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the charm of the autumn garden is all the berries and seed heads which you come across. The grounds are extensive, much to Archie's delight, he really enjoys his walks there.

      Delete
  7. The labelling of the trees is such an important feature for anyone who is genuinely interested in them. Without the label the Isaac Newton tree would be just another apple tree! Isn't it nice to see a garden that has lots of Winter interest and doesn't rely too much on the colour that Annuals supply? You have some fab photos in this post, Jo. I especially like the one of the Teazel. Did you know that in times past Teazels were used for carding wool?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always pleased when I come across a place which labels its plants well, it's interesting to read more than just a name. Oakwell Hall has done this very well. I think this garden proves how structure works in a garden, I don't think it matters that there isn't much colour at this time of year as there's plenty of other interest. I did know about teasels being used for carding wool, not really surprising as you can see it has similar features to a carder.

      Delete
  8. That's a very beautiful place. I can imagine how fascinating that place on the spring and summer. It must be so amazing. Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's nice to watch a garden right through the year so I must make sure I visit the walled garden each time we go to Oakwell Hall and see the difference each season brings.

      Delete
  9. What a beautiful garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is. I'm looking forward to visiting it again and seeing how it evolves throughout the year.

      Delete
  10. What a lovely, tidy garden with loads of interest still. Looks a fab place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was plenty of interest in the garden. It's very well kept too, I shall enjoy going back.

      Delete
  11. How lovely, evergreens do hold a garden together in the winter for sure. How very interesting about Isaac Newton's tree, I loved that!! What a lovely day out for you all, not forgetting Archie of course, I love the fact he gets to go too.xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was lots of interest in the garden, even though it's now autumn. I'm guessing there'll be even more to see in summer so I shall definitely return. Archie would be most disappointed if we visited anywhere with parkland and he didn't come too.

      Delete
  12. It looks beautiful despite the fact that it is autumn. What a wonderful place to spend the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was still so much interest around, even at this time of year. I'm sure it will be glorious in summer.

      Delete

 
!-- Start of StatCounter Code for Blogger / Blogspot -->