First visit to Caisson House Gardens

 The reason for the 'First Visit' description in the title of this post, is that I know for sure that there has to be several more needed to take in the structure and planting of this garden and simply just to enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscape. 

One can read all about these delightful gardens so except for some fleeting impressions, it is best left to the owners Phil and Amanda Honey to describe in their own words and with some lovely pictures how they came to meld themselves into the rolling hills along a deep valley tucked just beneath Bath.

Coombe Hay Locks which have not been navigable for a very long time, and the surrounding land have been pivotal in the way the garden cascades down to the The Pound, where a little jetty forms a shelf along the edge of the water.

On the eastern side the stone bridge gives views overlooking the stretch of waterlilies

The western end below which the locks continue is now dammed to form The Pound, and also the point at which some lovely white waterlilies remind us that we are in mid summer.

The planting is mainly white throughout except in the Walled Garden where the borders are full.  Having walked through the glasshouses bordering The Potager still within the walled garden, seeds for next year's plantings were just showing through in their trays, and no doubt these will all be pricked out into modules and thus strong plants will be ready for the allocated positions later in the year.  Sweet pea arches and tunnels already in flower wafted their perfume.  

Walking along the cut paths through uncut meadows, one just had to marvel at the range of wild flowers, and we saw at least two types of native wild orchids.

Our group of ladies from Wells WI gardening group seemed to split into two groups, and the group I was with entered the garden along the back of the house, the northern side which offered opportunities for a different sort of planting with generally the luscious green foliage set off a limited colour of white plants.

This led along to the Mulberry Terrace where we were impressed again with the selection of plants and the many large planters.

Just as we were passing the Potting shed and pigsty, over the wall down in the Potager we waved to the other part of our group.

As one walks across the stone bridge towards the house  one cannot miss this statuesque tree, which seems to dominate the top of the locks and declares all  it sees as perfection. On my next visit I can certainly like more than just a distanced view. All around and below the wild flower meadow and along the path that takes one to the south side of the locks, goes through a little more woodland.

There were teas on offer in the old stables, with the range and quality reflecting the chic design of the gardens.  On my return I was inspired to baked one of the cakes which was a great hit with himself.  Several of the ladies bought and took home pieces to share or to just enjoy on their own.  This was an afternoon visit but to start with Maggie took us all to one of her old haunts where her book club meets.  I can thoroughly recommend 'The King William Inn' at Tunley, which is not far from Caisson House.