annhig

they look interesting, Wrenwood, more things to look at if we're passing.

another church you might be interested in is St. Endellion - the choir that I'm in has performed there a few times and it's often used for concerts, often for "big names" [much bigger than us!]

http://www.endellionfestivals.org.uk/page24a.html

Betjeman thought quite a lot of it too:

http://www.stendellion.org.uk/st_endellion/index.php

wrenwood

Checking out http://www.greatgardensofcornwall.co.uk/springstory/ it looks like I'll miss the Magnolias in southern Cornwall

However will the ones at Lanhydrock for instance be a few weeks behind?

annhig

well, wrenwood, the good news is that that piece is referring to 2013 - it doesn't mention whether that magnolia is out yet this year.

If my garden is anything to go by, things are not that early this year - the first camellia is only jsut coming out for example.

I'm not likely to be going to Lanhydrock in the near future but I will keep my eyes open in the gardens round about here to see what's in bloom.

RM67

I've also been to Knightshayes and enjoyed it. The grounds are really lovely too - huge lily pond and woody walks.

One of the things I found most poignant from my visit though was a small room full of information and memorablia relating to the use of the house during wartime as some sort of administrative centre. In particular there was a poster telling people they must not leave their homes and vilages if the germans ever reached the mainland. The poster went on to explain that in France and Belgium people fleeing the advancing forces had meant it was easy for the enemy to capture towns and villages without ever having to actually fight for them for them. The bit that stays with me is the last line of the poster telling people they must stay put because 'it's treason if you leave!'.

RM67

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes/

Mimar

We did our tour of Cornish gardens in later May. I rate Trebah, Trelissick, Trengwainton in that order. Trebah is really one of the best, most memorable gardens I've seen. I like the layout, with the pond echoing the blue of the sea. (An artist was painting this scene when we were there.) Trelissick was very good, Tregwainton so-so.

I expect it really does depend of the time of year a great deal.

wrenwood

Annhig, are you sure? The first one from Caerhays says "In full flower on 26/02/2014" and on the right side they all have pics from days or hours ago

We'll go to Trebah if we have time, that is one Garden that we visited last time we were in Cornwall, although that was Autumn. We will be going back a second time to Lanhydrock, Cotehele and Knightshayes (and maybe St Michaels Mount) but there are lots of Houses, Gardens, Churches and Castles that will be new to us.

Mimar, May is not an option, I'm a Garden Designer and have to be back at work full time by the beginning of April. I will probably never get to see a Bluebell Woodland

Here's the "Final" Itinerary

Day 1 ~ Leave Great Fosters
Kingston Lacey
Athelhampton House
historical village of Tolpuddle & Wimborne Minster
Stay B&B Munden House for 2 nights

Day 2 ~ Gardens from Munden House
Sherborne Abbey
Montacute House
Lunch at The Masons Arms
East Lambrook Manor Gardens

Day 3 Leave Munden House drive to Portmellon
Knightshayes
Killerton
If time stop at Darts Farm Store to pick up food wine etc
Stay Portmellon Cottage for 7 nights


GARDENS WHILE IN PORTMELLON ~ I didn't label these Day 1 etc as the Gardens that we visit on a certain day are not only "together" because of location to each other, but also according to the days they are open, so somewhat flexible.

Sat,Tues, Weds, or Thurs
The Garden House
Buckland Abbey, Garden and Estate
Lunch @ The Royal Oak Inn ?
Cotehele

Sunday 23 when everything open
******Before we go check Castle websites, or email as they are often hired out for weddings
Pendennis Castle
Pandora Inn for Sunday Roast
Trelissick
St Just in Roseland Church
St Mawes Castle
Poppy Cottage
***Trelissick, ST Just in Roseland and Poppy Cottage could be done with Caerhays

These gardens are the closest, the most interchangeable ~ Mon, Tues, Weds, or Thurs
Caerhays Castle
Trewithen Gardens
Trelissick ( if not done)
St Just in Roseland Church ( if not done)
Poppy Cottage ( if not done)

Sat,Tues, Weds,Thurs or Friday
Pencarrow
Lanhydrock
St Nonna's Church
St Neot Church

Mon, Tues, Weds or Thurs
Trengwainton
Trewidden
**** IF TIME
Penlee House and Museum
St Michael's Mount
Trebah Garden

Last Day ~ Whatever hasn’t been done

If pouring down rain
*Mevagissey Museum
*Wheal Martyn

Gardens on the way from Portmellon back to Great Fosters
Mottisfont
The Vyne
If Time ~ West Green House Garden

So it's getting close! Some of the long term forecasts call for sunnier warmer weather so my fingers are crossed!

annhig

Annhig, are you sure? The first one from Caerhays says "In full flower on 26/02/2014" and on the right side they all have pics from days or hours ago>>

wrenwood, sorry I missed that - but I'm not altogether sure what it's referring to.

i would be very surprised if they were all over by the time you get here - although we've not had that much frost, we haven't had too much sun over the last few weeks either.

I think that you've got a very good list of gardens and other places to visit - I'm sure that you'll find some magnolias in bloom somewhere and you will certainly get camellias and rhododendrons. As for bluebell woods, I'll try to find a photo! [you don't get the scent that way though!]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for better weather too - goodness knows we need it.

PS - the head gardener at Mottisfont just got an award from the RHS for his services to gardening, particular to his work with the rose garden there.

wrenwood

Are there ANY Bluebell Woods in the warmest south that might be starting to bloom? Or am I destined to always look at pictures?

wrenwood

I emailed Lanhydrock, they said

"The magnolias are a little behind this year and are now starting to flower"

annhig

wrenwood - good news about the Magnolias - that accords with my observations for what they are worth.

as for bluebells, I recall a late Easter at Lanhydrock a few years ago when the bluebells were fab - and that was the end of April.

so I fear that it's going to pics for you until you retire.

wrenwood

annhig, I knew you were going to say that

Will you be anywhere near us on our itinerary, so we can buy you lunch? You have been so helpful so many times!