Garden Restoration by a family of three

5 Jan '06 10:02 pm

Hello everyone,
I've recently registered and would like to show you my garden which marked the beginning of my gardening experience (beyond house plants). It has been something of a vertical learning curve ever since (1999).
We found the decrepit and overgrown Victorian walled garden by accident in Devon, SW England. The garden is called Winsford Walled Garden today and our web site tells our story so far more easily than I can do here. Suffice to say that we have been gardening for six years and haven't paused for breath since!

The enclosed photograph was taken just three years after this area was begun when it was bare soil and rubble following overgrowth clearance.

6 Jan '06 6:41 am

Wow! A walled garden! What a huge and wonderful 'find' Very Happy

For three years work that photograph must be very rewarding.

Is there anything you would change now after 6 years? They say a garden is never finished (thankfully, or we would have no journals at this fabulous site to read about!) which means many more Happy gardening years to you!

Don't be shy in posting more pics, it is always nice to see other gardens! Wink

8 Jan '06 8:33 am

Michael, the website of your restoration journey is amazing! You have the courage to show the really messy mess before, complete with muddy faced gardener!

The garden interested me in a personal way - in - 1996 or 1997 possibly I had a small summer holiday in Devon. I went to 'see' a garden which was open in a red cross charity day. It had a walled garden and an old victorian glasshouse. Everything was just about to be restored, and I remember the glasshouse being in quite a mess. I also remember getting a cup of tea outside the house. The walled garden was down from the house and was a bit of a mess.

The glasshouse looked awfully like yours, but I guess that would have been a common design. I am about to seriously hunt for my old pen and paper journal.
Anyway, it's got me thinking - I'd love to return! Your garden looks wonderful, good luck, and keep up all that good work.
Cheers,

13 Jan '06 4:22 am

"Pumpki" asked about anything we would change.
No not really, each section was considered before jobs were started, so we went in with eyes open determined to do what we intended. There were some oh-so-sad times in the early months when the clearance just never seemed to end. It didn't help that at the same time we invited reps from all the big national and regional conservation societies and the like and they poured cold water on our ideas saying we couldn't do this and or that. Not because it was illegal or any such thing, it was just that 'we' non professionals, could not do it ourselves without their help or that of other professionals. All I can say is "If you will it, it is no dream!" Very Happy

23 Jan '06 3:45 am

Michael,
Simply stunning. There are not words to describe the beauty of this place.

I am amazed at the amount of time, energy and heart that obviously went into this restoration. There is also a great lesson to be learned from your work. Too many times these properties are simply demolished in favor of new construction. Just think how many of these treasures we've already lost in the name of progress.

You, and your group are very special people to take on this project. And I for one, am very glad that you did.

Thank you for sharing. Very Happy

23 Jan '06 6:43 am

I agree Cottage Garden! Very Happy

After poking around at the website, simply stunning certainly describes both the beauty of and the effort taken to restore this garden.

I hope you feel utter pride Micheal! Very Happy

Just goes to show you do not need (mostly over-rated imo) 'professionals' when you have passion! Besides, if you are going to have heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears invested in your vision better they be yours Wink

One thing .... I couldn't find the veg patch! Shocked

did I take a wrong turn? Cool

23 Jan '06 7:18 pm

I have been reading the comments-they mention viewing your garden`s progress on your website.I have hunted round, but can`t find the website. The photo is beautiful,so I would like to read more if I can. Thanks, Dixie.

23 Jan '06 9:32 pm

I can not understand your inability to find the Wnsford website.
Here are some options;
www.winsfordwalledgarden.co.uk
In Google type 'walled garden' - we're on page one.
Hope this helps as we have had no downed pages to report. Enjoy

24 Jan '06 4:59 am

Thank you. I visited this morning(Tuesday)and was so amazed by it all! I love the mellowness of the bricks,and the curved paths-wonderful atmosphere--Dixie.

Garden Restoration by a family of three

Garden Restoration by a family of three

Any changes? No but,

walled garden

For Dixie and others

website