Wyken Hall
On 19th June Richard, Elinor and I visited Wyken Hall Gardens in Suffolk. This visit was to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary of the day before. We never buy each other gifts on our anniversary unless there is something we both would like to have for the house or the garden, for example. We usually plan an outing to a place we’d like to see or we go out for a meal. This year we decided on a trip to Wyken Hall Gardens.
Wyken Hall
Wyken Hall is an Elizabethan manor house owned by Sir Kenneth and Lady Carla Carlisle. The house itself isn’t open to the public but the 4 acre gardens are. The house dates from 1570 with additions being made to it in 1630 and 1680 and then major works were carried out in 1920.
Lady Carlisle comes from the USA and she designed this area to look like a southern veranda. She brought 5 rocking chairs over from Mississippi and then the row of Spartan apple trees were espaliered high so as not to obscure the view from the house.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says it is one of the best modern private gardens in the country.
The Rose Garden
Lord Carlisle began work on the garden in the late 70’s and created the Rose Garden, the Winter Garden and the other garden rooms near the house. More work was done after his marriage in 1986.
The Quincunx – five equal interlocking circles – inspired by a design for a herb garden by Gertrude Jekyll.
New gardens are continually being created.
The new garden pond with oak pier. The owners hope that soon the chestnut fencing will be covered with white wisteria.
When Lord Carlisle began work on the garden it already had a structure of flint walls and many fine old trees. Hornbeam and yew hedges divide the garden into its different rooms. There is a copper-beech maze and a nuttery; a herb garden, a knot garden and an ‘edible’ garden; wildflower meadows and a traditional English kitchen garden. Many of the old-style gardens complement the Elizabethan house.
View of the house from the Rose Garden
As well as the garden, the Carlisles own Wyken Wood, which is ancient woodland, a large modern farm and a 7 acre vineyard. A large medieval barn has been converted into a country store (which sells exclusive goods) a restaurant and café. As well as different wines they also produce ale from their own barley.
A flower border sheltered by a flint wall in which there is an inviting archway to gardens beyond.
Steps cut into the turf (foreground) and the path through the winter garden
The ‘Bellini Bus Stop’ – a covered seat in the winter garden
A very pretty arch with an interesting variety of plants round it.
The kitchen garden
A supercilious-looking turkey
A peacock
A slideshow of photos of some of the lovely plants and flowers we saw.
A slideshow of the plants in the Red Hot Border.
This little hen came and stood under our table outside the café and begged for crumbs. She was given quite a lot of Elinor’s expensive scone!
We had a very enjoyable afternoon at a most beautiful and immaculate garden.
Thanks for visiting!
A Suffolk Lane 