Posts Tagged ‘Highnam Court Gardens’

A visit to Highnam Court Gardens

0 Written by Lisa on 4th May 2016 in Inspiration

Highnam Court House Gloucestershire Lisa Cox Designs

I went to Highnam Court Gardens last week in Gloucestershire.  It had been recommended for its display of tulips at this time of year but alas they were a bit behind schedule due to the cold weather and there weren’t many in flower.

Highnam Court House Lisa Cox Garden Designs

But despite spring being behind schedule and the bracing northerly wind that was in the air on the day we went, I still enjoyed the trip.  Sometimes I think seeing gardens early in the season gives a much better sense of the structure that lays beneath them.

Garden at Highnam Court Gloucestershre Lisa Cox Desins

Highnam court was built in the 1658 after the original house was seriously damaged in the Civil War.  It was then brought by the musician, artist and art collector, Thomas Gambier Parry in 1838.  It was Thomas who laid out the gardens originally but after a long period of neglect in the early 1900s they soon became overgrown and unloved.

Over the past 16 years, the gardens have been restored by owner Mr Roger Head, DL.

Highnam Court garden Lisa Cox Designs

The areas around the house, as you’d expect, are grand and formal.  This view, looks down from the terrace, across the rose garden to the main lake.

Topiary at Highnam Court Lisa Cox Designs

Statue at Highnam Court Garden Lisa Cox Designs

But moving away from the house the garden becomes more in touch with nature and the surrounding countryside.  My favourite part of the garden was the fernery which I’d love to see this part of the garden in the summer when the ferns are in full swing.  But the hellebores looked a picture and I liked the fact that it had a slightly untamed feel to it.

Folly in Highnam Court Gardens Lisa Cox Designs

Fernery at Highnam Court Lisa Cox Designs

The Money Garden also needs to be seen later when the water lilies are in flower, but it still looked beautiful with the vibrant young leaves of the weeping willow.

Weeping willow Monet garden Hignam House Lisa Cox

You’d never know by looking at the photos that it was the most bracing of days.  Some of the areas of the garden will look fabulous in the summer, especially the wildflower meadow areas.

Highnam Church Lisa Cox Garden Designs

Highnam Church was one of the other highlights of the trip with its many original frescoes painted by Thomas Gambier Parry, definitely worth a visit.

The gardens are open under the National Garden Scheme (NGS) on the first Sunday of the month throughout the summer but they also host concerts and other events, details of which can be found here.

 

(Images: Lisa Cox)

 

 

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Lisa Cox Welcome

I specialise in helping families to turn their gardens into an extension of their home and into a space that can be used and enjoyed all year round.

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