Report on visit to Antony, Torpoint on Tuesday 6th May 2025
The Garden Visit Group’s May outing was to the fabulous Antony woodland garden and woodland walk. Ten of us spent a very enjoyable morning wandering around the woodland surrounding Antony House and its magnificent landscape garden with sweeping views over the River Lynher. Blue sky and sunshine showed off the trees, shrubs, plants and wildflowers brilliantly. Carpets of bluebells, wild garlic and campion nestled within the greenery of the tree canopies, with camellias, azaleas and many other plants providing splashes of vivid colour as we walked along some of the many paths around and across the woodland area. Some of Tim Burton’s 2010 film Alice in Wonderland was filmed at Antony, and we were struck by the contrast between the lush woodland areas and the formal setting of the garden surrounding the 18th century house. The wisteria in full bloom and wall of white roses were particularly lovely and emphasised the very different aspects of the estate. The visit was rounded off by refreshments in the café – most welcome, particularly by the group who decided to explore the woodland area further before taking a break, and like Alice, had a bit of an adventure of their own getting rather lost amongst the trees and intersecting paths. So near but it seemed so far at the time and never was a cup of tea and the smiling faces of the rest of the group more appreciated when we made it back to civilisation! A fun and good day was had by all in this beautiful spot on a glorious late spring day.
Report on visit to Polventon, Fletchersbridge on Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Our second visit of the 2025 programme was once again to Fletchersbridge – this time to Polventon. Eight of us enjoyed a wonderful afternoon - a private visit for the NGS - to this splendid woodland garden. After a grey and damp beginning to the day, the sun came out for us as we arrived, showcasing the garden in its spring glory of colour, with mature rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas, not to mention the proud show of primroses, bluebells and wood anemones. We were struck by a sense of peace and tranquillity, invoked by the sound of birdsong, running water of the stream and small waterfall, with the backdrop of some very handsome horses grazing in the paddock on the slope above the garden, framed with pretty blossom and foliage. How could it get better? But it did – wonderful refreshments served with bone china tea service (carrot cake, highly complimented). Bliss! Many thanks to our very hospitable hosts, owners David and Bernadette, who made us feel so welcome on St George’s Day.
Report on visit to The Lodge, Fletchersbridge on Saturday 29th March 2025
We began our 2025 programme with a visit to The Lodge in the hamlet of Fletchersbridge. 14 of us spent a very enjoyable afternoon wandering around this impressive riverside garden, open for the NGS. Although a disappointingly grey day weatherwise, we admired a colourful array of trees, shrubs and spring bulbs providing a perfect frame for the house, a remodelled Gothic Lodge originally part of the Glynn estate. The camelias, magnolias and primroses throughout were particularly pretty, and provided a welcome promise of spring. We also loved the water garden with ponds, waterfalls, sculptures, and a resident colony of Canada Geese. The afternoon was rounded off in the usual way with tea and cake – care of the Friends of Bodmin Hospital.
Thank you to owners Tony and James (and the geese!) for sharing their lovely garden with us.
