"Double delight in early summer gardens”

Church View & Olde Oaks in Appleby

CHURCH VIEW

There are  two very special gardens both of which will open to the public on Sunday 20th June.

Helen Holmes of, Church View and Chantal Knight at, Olde Oaks both have gardens in Appleby.

Helen moved to Church View 4 years ago and, with pride and respect, says that her Landscape Gardener, Ian Huckson is a very talented and knowledgeable plantsman.  Ian has transformed the half-acre garden in just 3 years.  Ian said, “It took one year of clearance and hard-landscaping followed by two years of planting and cultivation”.  The garden belies its youth in providing fullness, variety and an abundance of floral display.  Ian takes particular pride in the design and quality of his plantings.  Church View garden provides lovely views from meandering gravel paths as well as from within the house.  Helen and Ian have worked together for many years and as Ian says, “we have similar garden tastes, which is great.

This garden demonstrates what can be done in a very short time and it does so delightfully.  There are lots of plants in flower but evidence of many more to come throughout the summer.  Indeed Ian adds,” visit us on 20th June but return when we open on 12th September to enjoy a riot of late summer colour”.

OLDE OAKS

Chantal and Richard Knight have lived in Olde Oaks for 18 years, now with their daughters, Jessica  and Daisy, as well as many dogs!

This is a half-acre family garden at the back of the house with a tree house, greenhouse and summer house.

Olde Oaks garden is very special.  It has opened for the NGS for 3 years and had over 250 visitors at its 2009 Open Day.  Olde Oaks garden has won 1st prize for “best village garden” (Dufton Show) for several years on the trot.

The quality of the lawns, plants and garden structures is superb.  There are sweeping curves that guide the visitor to follow and discover new / surprise views.  The plants are grown to the highest quality, testimony to Chantal’s skill as a nurturing horticulturalist. 

The garden blends natural beauty with various structures such as arches, obelisks and statues as well as a grand cockerel and Pinky and Perky, the pigs!

Even though, within this garden, there is great enchantment and interest the borrowed landscape views to the Pennines and Lakeland fells provide a feel of freedom, tranquillity and country life.  This is a garden where body and soul can relax, be at peace and enjoy life.

The garden is wildlife friendly, has two ponds and also offers a woodland walk through an adjoining 3 acre field.

So, to make a full half-day Helen, Ian and Chantal invite you to see both gardens on Sunday 20th June.

Church View, Bongate, Appleby, CA16 6UN will open 2-5pm.  Admission £3, children free.

Olde Oakes, Croft Ends, Appleby, CA16 6JW will open 1-5pm.  Admission £3, children free.

Both gardens offer plant sales with home-made teas being available at Olde Oaks.