Lode Open Gardens

An open garden is a perfect summer Sunday afternoon pastime. Yesterday a pal and I went on a trip to Cambridgeshire and which included a visit to Lode Open Gardens. I'd never been to Lode before, a pretty village 5 miles from the city of Cambridge. I've been to many garden events but these really were 5 star gardens.  Simply wonderful.

There were four gardens to visit. Wild Rose Cottage (below) had a lovely rambling garden, with chickens and ducks, which looked straight from the pages of Country Living magazine. The garden was entered up a sheltered windy path, gradually revealing the pretty cottage and its garden.

We could have lingered in this idyllic setting the entire afternoon but three more gardens beckoned.

Carpenders End was a barn conversion with sweeping lawns and pretty borders. The owner said he was up at 4am to keep it is such great shape. The early rises certainly paid off. The lawn was like Axminster carpet! We took a pit stop here for delicious tea and cake.

Onwards to the Old Vicarage which was quite a contrast with its garden rooms reminiscent of Hidcote.

My friend entering the garden through a beautiful arbour.

Finally, a garden that quite took my breath away. Behind a beautiful thatched cottage stood the garden of the former head gardener of nearby Anglesey Abbey. My first impression was a garden that was inspired by my favourite garden Great Dixter, and when I spoke to the owner he confirmed that his passion was for lots of colour and that he personally had known Christopher Lloyd, the garden writer, and owner of Dixter. It truly was a stunning garden. 

Horse shoe hedges revealed beautiful water features - respite from the dazzling colour.

I brought back so much inspiration for my own little garden. Pictures rarely capture the real beauty that the eye beholds but I hope these photos have gaven some idea of how outstanding these gardens were.