Description:Descend drive, an unusual and surprising garden awaits you at Somerfoss. The S-facing valley provides several different plant areas and beds full of unusual shrubs and perennials. Particular features, natural rock area with Mediterranean feel and damp area with stand of wild orchids flowering in June. Large raised deck, great place to view garden and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with homemade cake

In the press:Featured in local press and radio

Disability information:Steep slopes, steps and uneven ground

Further details:Somerfoss is a 2 acre garden hidden in a peaceful valley situated next to the ruins of Ashwick Grove, a 17th/18th century mansion. The small steep sided valley includes part of the original carriageway and some of the paths and steps of the formerly well known pleasure gardens. We also enjoy some of the original specimen trees from the parkland.

A particular feature of the garden is the large natural rock area into which our unusual house is set. The garden is planted for year round interest to encourage bird and insect life giving it a naturalistic feel which we hope echoes the surrounding landscape.

In late Spring the banks are full of primroses, cowslips and bluebells as well as island beds with unusual perennials and grasses. In June a damp area is in flower with a large stand of wild orchids including the 'tway blade' and 'dactylorhiza fuchsii'.

In summer, beds and borders are planted with a prairie feel and hum with insect life; being next door to untouched woodland bees and butterflies abound in late summer.

We encounter problems with deer, rabbits, squirrels and badgers which means there is a constant need to protect newly planted shrubs and beds, but that's all par for the course in this quiet and peaceful valley!