My favourite so far!

The last garden we visited, but by no means the least was East Lambrook Manor Gardens. 

In a village not far from Barrington Court which we visited the day before, is the most lovely house...

with the most beautiful garden...

which we visited on the most perfect day.

There was not an inch of space anywhere...

and even some of the paths were a bit of a challenge!

The Garden was designed and originally planted by Margery Fish in the 1940s, a journalist with no experience of gardening before she started this garden. She wanted to create a grand cottage garden but on a domestic scale, and one that didn't need an army of gardeners to keep it trim. The resulting masterpiece influenced garden design and transformed it from a past time for the rich and privileged to something that everyone could do. Her articles and books spread the word and demystified the cottage garden.

The lack of space in the beds means no space for weeds so no weeding, growing things so close together means less staking - this really is the best sort of low maintenance garden!

Salvia, Astrantia, Iris and Nepeta.

There is a lovely silver garden with Cardoons, white Acanthus and silver leaved Elaeanus.

Some of the planting combinations and plants were gorgeous!

(L) Nepeta, Thelictrum and what looked like a dainty, mauve Centranthus, and beautiful Nigella (R)

There was a lovely white garden with Gladioli, Moon Daisies and Silver Birches.

Fabulous Rose and Clematis combination.

Pollarded Willow, Euphorbia and yellow Flag Iris with Onion (or maybe garlic) flowers in front.

Salvia and Geranium with more lovely Silver Birches.

East Lambrook also has a large tea room and art exhibitions, and a lovely plant sales area where I purchased a variegated white Lunaria and struggled manfully against buying Astrantias (travelling on the train definitely cramped my shopping style).

Then after a rest and very welcome cold drink at the pub just opposite, Mum and I set off to Taunton where we parted, Mum to drive north and battle with traffic, and me to train west and battle with the school children of Plymouth.

So our garden idyll was over for another year - where could we go next?