We will meet those coming by train at Wadhurst Station, just an hour and a quarter from London Charing Cross.
Our first stop is the four-acre garden at Tidebrook Manor, with outstanding views, it has an expansive feel. Made in the Arts and Crafts tradition, head gardener, Ed Flint enthusiastically continues the development of the planting in this style in collaboration with the owner. After morning refreshments, Ed will lead us through the garden.
Large hedges play a restrained but major role here, leading the eye, enabling surprises and adding intrigue. Interesting planting combinations abound, especially in the intimate spaces close the house. Facilitating the transition from these, a hydrangea walk guides your path and a rill your eye, towards an expanse of lawn, a ‘curated’ meadow and the view beyond. With its willow platt, large mixed borders, fulsome planting of the pots around the swimming pool and the sloping woodland garden with pond, there is much to delight in.
After lunch in one of the historic buildings in the village of Mayfield, we visit Orchard Cottage.
Garden journalist Paula McWaters, writing in The English Garden, described Orchard Cottage as being “a charming froth of a garden”, she captures its essence beautifully. Jane Collins, owner and creator, will introduce us to her garden on arrival; we are then free to explore until afternoon tea.
Once an orchard in decline, Jane and her husband Ray began its transformation in 1983, alongside Jane’s late mother Smoo, their early work determining the organic shape of many of the beds; Jane continuing this natural, intuitive approach has created a wonderfully informal garden, internal vistas, surprise and delight in equal measure.
At just one and a half acres the garden has a woodland feel and an intimate atmosphere, narrow paths weave through its many beds where self seeders are welcomed, then curated with a careful eye. The delicate colour combinations throughout make the jewel garden all the more striking. The open space of the meadow with its charming water feature, a gentle contrast.
Roses feature widely, with Jane and Smoo’s favourites residing in the Rose Garden, one of only a handful of rectangular spaces, as is the modern kitchen and cutting garden closer to the cottage. It is here we will enjoy afternoon tea.
Our transport pick up point is Wadhurst Station. See parkopedia.com for parking information.
Meet at 9.50am, bus departs at 10am, approximate return 5.20pm – 5.30pm.
Both gardens have sloping ground and have few hard surfaced paths, both of which those less able to walk may find challenging. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Tidebrook has a steeply sloping area and bodies of deep water
