Dartington Hall and Gardens - May

The first challenge was to ensure that the parking was paid for, either by the correct app or by using the machine. Next was to calculate how long to pay for - how long would tea take?!
One member avoided this by combining the garden visit with the walking group and walked from Totnes Station having come down by train.
We had gathered outside the Arch and our guide, Matt, found us there. We were due to have two guides but Matt did us proud on his own. He started by asking us to say what we thought the history of the Arch building was. We then went into the Courtyard where Matt gave us a very thorough history of the Estate over the centuries and the families who’ve lived at Dartington. He then turned to the buildings and architecture pointing out the interesting features and alterations over time. We eventually reached the Great Hall and went inside to continue the story. I don’t think any of us had realised that when the Elmhurst’s bought Dartington the Great Hall was roofless. Matt even had at his finger tips the weight of the wooden roof trusses which were magnificent. We admired the huge fireplace at the "accommodation" end of the Hall. From the Hall we moved through to The White Hart pub and out into the Garden (without stopping!).
The Gardens are Grade II listed, are over 1,000 years old with many striking features, sculptures and ancient trees including the Exeter Holm oak. Over the centuries particular care has been taken to preserve vistas. Matt guided us round, stopping frequently to elaborate on plants, planting and features. He had an impressive list of people who had been connected with Dartington ranging from Royalty, explorers, artists, authors, actors, musicians, composers, etc. It really does seem that everyone, throughout history, that you’ve ever heard of has, at some time, been to Dartington. This was done without reference to his notes too!
We’d hoped to have tea in the Green Table cafe it being a short dash back to the car park but on this day it had had to close early. Nothing daunted we found sustenance in the cafe by the Barn Cinema.
This was a very enjoyable and informative visit.
ACM

Old Glebe - June

It was June - summer apparently! The outside temperature driving up was a balmy 12 degrees and it was wet - really wet- and windy which made it feel even colder. However we’re made of sterner stuff and everyone who said they were coming, did.
We had very good directions from our host and also, right at the end, some yellow NGS signs. Parking was supervised and we were then given an introduction about Old Glebe and how long they’d been there. Accompanied by the family dog we then set off on a guided tour of the grounds. These extend to 7 acres and surround the Georgian rectory. We started in the long walled garden border which was looking very colourful before branching out onto the cut grass paths round the ponds and Japanese bridge. Those with non waterproof footwear quickly got wet feet from the grass. We returned to the borders around the house and then into the kitchen garden and 1929 Messenger greenhouse. We admired the newly planted orchard and, of course, the compost heaps - gardeners are very proud of their compost heaps!

Old Glebe is known for its rhododendrons and wide variety of trees - there are some very fine and intriguing specimens.
It had stopped raining by this stage but we were grateful that tea was to be indoors. We took our wet and grass covered footwear off in the entrance hall making use of a lovely old settle to sit on. The better organised revealed spare shoes in their cars, the rest of us had to make do with socks/tights on a stone floor. The tea was extremely generous, three large delicious cakes - fruit, lemon and chocolate and as we couldn’t decide which to choose there was no alternative, sadly, to trying all of them ... refills of tea and coffee were offered, our hostess joined us and the conversation flowed around the large table.

An extremely enjoyable visit and also the chance to welcome some new members.
ACM

The Blackbury Honey Farm - July

We found our way there through rain, heavy traffic, road works, accidents and, finally, sea mist - a typical Devon day! On arrival though, the rain stopped and there was even sun.
We went through the cafe bravely ignoring, but noting, the cakes on offer for later, to the garden. It was a very relaxed garden, all very colourful with every plant there for the benefit its flowers could give to bees.
We were very fortunate that the Head Gardener was there and very helpfully accompanied us around the gardens explaining what they were doing with it. It’s clearly a labour of love as all involved are retired. She is helped by an 84 year old who comes to cut the edges, and there is also occasional help from another retired man.
As usual we weren’t sure of the names of some of the plants but were buoyed by the fact that the Head Gardener had forgotten too.
Apparently it’s not been a good year for bees or butterflies so honey could be in short supply this year.
There is a mound in one corner which can be climbed in a spiral and which, from the top, there is a good view.
Then it was back into the cafe to choose our cake and order our drink. Both, of course, accompanied by a good chat. The staff are very friendly and helpful and there’s a good range of food for both lunches and teas. Their honey is on sale together with some other by products of honey.
ACM

Plant World - August

A small, but very select group gathered - August is always unpredictable as so many are away or welcoming visitors - to be greeted by what we assumed to be the resident dog. There were very few there and he wanted to play. We were accompanied round the gardens with insistent pleas to kick/throw a collection of well worn tennis balls hidden round the garden. He was a very good catcher so the ball was returned almost instantly.
We entered the garden through the well stocked nursery moving into the different areas planted to represent the gardens of the world. It is laid out on a slope which affords excellent views but there are quite a few steps to contend with. Numbers indicate the order to travel round the world. We were very fortunate in that it was sunny and very clear so the views over the Teign estuary were very good.
Exit was through the cafe, so an opportunity to refresh with cake, ice cream, tea or coffee. There’s a rack of packets of their own seeds to purchase too.
ACM