Chesters
Walled Garden
A peaceful haven on the Roman Frontier
Chesters Walled
Garden is a 2-acre 18th Century garden situated next to Chesters Roman
Fortand on the line of Hadrian's Wall. It boasts one of the largest
collections of herbs in the country growing ebulliently behind neatly
clipped box hedges. There are wide gravel paths, espalier apple trees
that are over a hundred years old, long vistas, and secret corners where
one can sit and dream.
The National Thyme
Collection is at its peak in June and July when it resembles a Persian
carpet of glowing colours and is alive with honey bees. A Mediterranean
border of rosemaries, sages and other highly scented herbs also houses
the National Collection of Marjoram. There are two pools, one with a
fountain, the other of still water and reflections.
Roses are planted
in abundance, some 100 varieties of old and species roses planted for
their aroma, reach their height in July. There are extensive herbaceous
borders of unusual plants, double and variegated forms of cottage garden
favourites, planted in a very English style and a medieval 'knot garden'
of box planted to a design of 1617. Red squirrels can be seen in the
surrounding woodland.
Grapevines, peaches,
nectarines, jasmine, ginger, bay, myrtle and many other plants shelter
in the unheated greenhouse. Passionflowers bloom exotically in summer,
the mysterious mandrake can be seen in spring, lemon verbena provides
scent and the pale yellow snapdragons of Asarina procumbens clamber
to the roof.
The nursery has
a wide selection of plants; an extensive collection of herbs to choose
from, wildflowers, old fashioned roses from David Austin, herbaceous
plants and grasses.
Chesters Walled
Garden offers group visits, talks and garden design. Outside talks can
be booked also; Susie White (see Susie
White's Blog) of Chesters Walled Garden is listed in the RHS Speakers
Guide and has lectured widely, written books on herbs and gardens and
appeared on television many times. Slide talks include the herb collection
at Chesters Walled Garden showing the uses, history and cultivation
of a wide range of common and unusual herbs and a lecture on the wildflowers
of Northumberland focusing on the ecology of habitats near Hexham.
The Garden is open
10 am - 5 pm every day from March 20th to October 31st. Opening times
from November to mid March depend on the weather and it is advisable
to check by phone first (01434 681483). Entry to the nursery and shop
is free. There is an entrance charge of £3 to the garden, with
no charge to children under 10.
The Garden is six
miles north of Hexham, Northumberland, just off the B6318 and half a
mile west of Chollerford. During the main season there is a Roman Wall
bus service which stops at Chesters Roman Fort, a five minute walk from
the garden. Details from Hexham Tourist Information Centre.
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