Even less so when told that in about 1972 when we started constructing the garden the land was completely wild and well endowed with the remnants of a scrap yard, nettles, brambles and fallen trees. Because of the aspect, the site is very exposed and hence cold, windy and lacking in direct sunlight. Furthermore, the soil is light with the sandstone base never far away and quickly suffers from drought. Not by any means an ideal situation, but there were the positive aspects of a fine view across the valley, the natural interest of a slope and easily worked, free draining, neutral soil. If we had known anything about gardening and what we were letting ourselves in for we probably would never have started.
Ignorance is a wonderful thing.
We have gone for variety, a surprise around each corner and a touch of eccentricity. Gardens and gardeners can take themselves too seriously and we have included a few light hearted features simply for fun. Within the constraints of the steep slope, the garden has been laid out to provide as many different styles and features as possible, from the formality of paved terraces to a woodland path. It is not divided into rooms and neither is it open plan but there are atttempts to subtly hide one area from the next. Many of the features have resulted from the influence of great gardens we have visited and trips we have made.