Garden Features

A Historic Garden within the Moat

The gardens within the moat were re-landscaped in the late 1960s by John & Frances Willmer, who introduced specimen trees—ornamental cherry, Silver Pear, Liquidambar, and a rather splendid Tulip Tree. These new features complemented existing elements like the monumental yew arch standing by the moat. The grounds today continue to evolve quietly within this original framework.

Garden Rooms with Distinct Characters

The gardens naturally divide into smaller areas, each with its own subtly distinct character. On one side, the romantically-planted Winterhalter Rose Garden lies opposite the more formal Lion Garden, with the wilder Courtyard Garden beside it. Adjacent to these is the Privy Garden, with a path leading between raised beds down to a wooden Victorian-style greenhouse where garden cuttings and seedlings are grown.

Restored Mediaeval Carp Ponds

Beyond the expanse of lawn in front of the house are the former carp ponds, once filled in around 1850. In 2000, they were restored to their original form, now filled with water lilies and edged with native wild marginal plants, along with a living willow tunnel.

Woodland Walk and Cobble Sheepwash

A short woodland walk begins by crossing the arched Moat Bridge near the yew arch, winding through sunlit glades and past a 200-year-old cobbled Sheepwash, finally leading down into ‘Horsefield Copse,’ which was planted in 1980.

Wheelchair-Accessible Paths

A level path provides a gentle walk from the Back Garden, down the South Walk, and around to the Moat Ponds—an ideal route for wheelchair users.

Sustainability with Solar Power

From the Moat Ponds, you can see two of the three solar arrays (the third is mounted on the roof of a large cow yard), which together generate nearly 45 kilowatts of power—contributing to the electrical requirements of the house and farm.