With a full coach we left Norwich bright and early heading for Somerset. Lunch was at the Beach Arms, Oakley near Basingstoke.. Then we headed for Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants, winners of many RHS gold medals -  here we had a guided tour by Rosy Hardy who explained that each plant variety has to perform well to be able to earn its place on the nursery. Then we were let loose for some serious plant buying.http://www.hardys-plants.co.uk
With our precious plants stowed on the coach we headed for our hotel, The Hollies Hotel in Bower Hinton, near Martock. http:// www.thehollieshotel.co.uk

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Forde Abbey was our first stop of the day. The group was split into two groups for a tour of the Abbey which was founded by Cistercian monks over 800 years ago and became one of the richest and most learned monasteries in the country. After the dissolution in 1539 the Abbey lay empty for 100 years until in 1649 it was transformed in a magnificent house. The Abbey now stands at the heart of a family run estate - 30 acres of gardens surround this great building including herbaceous borders, bog garden, arboretum, lakes and working kitchen garden. Three generations of the Roper family created a garden worthy of the house it surrounds which is now owned by the Kennard family. http://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/

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In the afternoon we visited Cothay Manor, Greenham, near Wellington. This time we were divided into three groups for a guided tour round this wonderful 15th century medieval home. The Manor is surrounded by 12 acres of magically romantic gardens. Garden rooms are set off by yew hedges. A plantsman's paradise with courtyards, bog garden, cottage, garden, river walk and fine trees. http://www.cothaymanor.co.uk/

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After leaving the hotel the following morning we headed for Iford Manor and The Peto Garden. In 1892 Harold Peto, an architect by profession, bought the country house and transformed the steep awkward space into a garden of beauty combining architecture and plants. He was particularly attracted by the charm of old Italian gardens. To enjoy this garden of conservatory terrace, great terrace, blue pool, japanese garden, and cloisters, one needed to stop quite often to admire framed views and listen to sounds of water. http://www.ifordmanor.co.uk/

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Our last visit of the weekend was Rooksnest, Lambourn Woodlands, Berkshire where we were greeted by Alan, the Head Gardener. This is a 10-acre modern traditional garden, with early designs and plantings by Arabella Lennox-Boyd, there was also a rose and herbaceous garden, a new re-designed and planted pond area, herb garden, organic vegetables and glasshouses. Many specimen trees and fine shrubs, orchard and teerraces.  Rooksnest

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On behalf of everyone on this trip I would like to thank John and Brenda Foster for arranging such a wonderful variety of gardens, houses and nurseries for us to visit. Also, thanks to Alisdair, our ever patient coach driver.

photograhs by Linda Hall and John Metcalf

Full reports of the gardens visited can be found in our next newsletter.