Crumbs magazine interviewed me about my kitchen, my book Cotswolds Memoir and its sequel which I am currently writing. Enlarged text of article (below).
Cakes
Broughton Poggs Blossoms at Cotswolds National Garden Scheme Tour
Filkins and Broughton Poggs National Garden Scheme Garden Tour last weekend was an absolute delight. The gardens were wreathed in spring blossoms and the weather held with many glimpses of the sun before showers began at five o’clock.
It is a joy to visit the many beautiful private gardens on the NGS tours which cannot be seen other that through the open days organized by them.
The owners work hard to bring the gardens to their peak to be ‘camera ready’ for the public and the proceeds from ticket sales benefit several important charities. A visit to a beautiful garden with wonderful tea and cake makes for a lovely day out.
The Cotswolds setting of the two side-by-side villages of Filkins and Broughton Poggs could not be more picturesque with the River ……winding languidly between the gardens adding yet another dimension to their beauty.
Filkins House’s gardens boasted glorious fruit tree blossoms and…….
a charming dry stone wall garden seat fashioned from Cotswolds stone. Perfect for lazy picnics or afternoon tea. The homemade cakes served at the tour in Filkins Village Hall were delicious, a highlight – Ginger fruit cake with Mascapone cheese spread liberally on top.
This garden in Filkins featured a 200 year old apple tree which spread a mantle of delicate pink and white blossom on the lawn.
The Grade II listed 18th Century Broughton Poggs Mill covered in Wisteria.
For a list of open gardens throughout the summer visit National Garden Scheme’s website
www.ngs.org.uk
Romantic Cotswold Garden with a View – One of National Gardens Scheme’s Best
WOOLSTONE MILL HOUSE GARDEN
Rambling, romantic Woolstone Mill House Garden, near Faringdon, is a real treat. Close to the hidden village of Woolstone with its pretty pub, The White Horse, it has many delights.
This garden has just the perfect amount of blowsy charm – trim in the right places and charmingly shaggy in others.
A stream trickles through it meandering under several rustic bridges and leading the visitor on to one interesting garden feature after another.
A spectacular circle created by yew hedges whose focal point, two topiary sheep with carved stone heads, is enhanced by a backdrop of real sheep grazing in the meadows beyond.
The wide swath of lawn in this circle is bordered by mixed herbaceous and shrub plantings and provides a splendid photo opportunity.
There are medlars and old-fashioned roses, kitchen and bog gardens and numerous topiary in this two acre property.
Snuggled in among the foliage is every child’s dream of a tree house. It is well worth the climb up as there are terrific views of White Horse Hill with the Uffington White Horse clearly visible.
Sinfully rich home-made meringues with whipped cream and fresh raspberries were served, along with steaming cups of tea, in a picture perfect summerhouse at the end of the garden.
A truly gorgeous garden with many quirky surprises.
Photographs by Randall Montgomery ©2014 Available for purchase at PublicityPromo@aol.com
Woolstone Mill House, Woolstone, nr. Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 7QL
Click here for NGS 2015 details
New! Cotswolds Memoir is now available as an AudioBook in addition to Paperback and Kindle
A portion of the proceeds of every copy of COTSWOLDS MEMOIR: is donated to Cotswold conservation institutions.