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These beautiful 5.5 acre gardens were designed by Thomas Mawson,
(1861-1933) the international landscape architect, in 1910, at the height of his career,
and rescued from dereliction from 1970. We are looking here across the great lawns, which were
the site of the old Hall, from the entrance to the Rose Walk. At the end of the Box Walk
seen in the far distance dividing the 2 sloping lawns nestles a stone summerhouse with 2 fine arches.
The gardens rise dramatically up the terraces to the right to the coachhouse where the present owners live.
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The Paved Garden is created from the site of a grand conservatory behind the old Hall, the
brick paths divide beds of heat tolerant plants, and some tender wall shrubs and climbers.
At the far end you can glimpse part of the serpentine steps. rebuilt from the original Mawson
garden plans, joining the highest to the lowest level. Behind you at the top of stone spiral
steps, an old peach house has been repaired to house tender plants, mostly permanently set
into wall beds, climbing into the roof.
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A magnificent fuschia boliviana (
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A large formal fish pond, created out of a subterranean room under the Laundry in the
kitchen yard, contains many goldfish, which breed very well.
Planted into underwater beds, Arum Lillies make magnificent clumps in the summer, almost
hiding a stone cherub's torso, rescued from the ruins, found by a summer visitor during
restoration. We have found both his hands, but still have to find his head, though we do have an original photo of him holding
a sundial above his head in the centre of the curved ballustrade.
There is a panoramic view of Skiddaw to Buttermere from the terraces. Now the owners live
higher up the slope, the view is much better, looking over the tops of ancient trees, though
many new trees have been planted and the garden is full of interest at every time of the year.
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