Garden Visits:

Following the successful visit to Harrogate in April, we are planning an Autumn day trip to the Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Wilts (The Home of the Naked Gardeners as seen on TV!)

On Wednesday 23 September, 2009.
Although a relatively small garden, it includes:

Garden History:
A site with 1300 years of recorded history
The Abbot’s house, once part of the Benedictine Monastery
Resting place of Atheistan, first king of all England
Where Elmer, the monk was the first man to fly 1000 years ago
A Governor’s HQ in the Civil War
Mediaeval stone coffin featured on BBC 2’s “Meet the Ancestors”
Flora & Fauna - Over 10,000 different plants, trees and shrubs
UK’s largest collection of roses
Home of the oldest tree fern in the UK
Watervoles, and kingfishers
Wonderful autumn colour

Formal Gardens:
Topiary & double herbaceous borders
Celtic Cross knot garden and Laburnum Tunnel walk
Mediaeval herb garden with pond, fountain, water features.
200 year old Mulberry Tree
Sheltered refreshment area

River Gardens :
Monastic fish ponds and waterfall
Over 100 Japanese maples and rare trees
Heather and conifer bank above a scree garden
Fuchsia gallery

Light refreshments are available in these privately owned gardens. We anticipate arriving at 11.00 a.m. and lunch can be obtained in the attractive nearby town centre (5 minute away).

The return journey home will include a visit to the National Trust village of Lacock, Lacock Abbey Cloisters and the Fox Talbot Museum.

The cost will be £21.50 which will include entry to the Malmesbury Abbey Gardens and the coach fare. Entry to Lacock is free to National Trust members and the cost to non members will be £5.40 payable on the day. Tips are not included.