Members' Events 2010

Private visit to The Manor of Dean
Pitshill, near Petworth, West Sussex
Tuesday March 23rd at 2pm
Cost: £12 to include a cream tea

There's something quite uplifting about the first signs of spring and The Manor of Dean is a great place to spot them. The gardens have been opening to the public through the National Garden Scheme for around 50 years.

This lovely traditional English garden with fine views of the South Downs is all squeezed into approximately 3 acres but through clever planting it seems far bigger. A mass of early flowering bulbs will be on show including a wide variety of snowdrops, crocus, carpets of daffodils and scented hyacinths in containers. Of additional interest is the greenhouse containing a large orange tree planted in the 1920's and marmalade made from the oranges is available for sale.

The owner, Emma Mitford, will give a short talk on the history of house, once the home for many years of the Mitford sisters whilst the gardener will be available to answer your questions.

Lorna's Report
I have now completed my third season as CPRE Sussex Events organiser and thought it time for a little reflection. What have I learnt? I think the overriding lesson is that although you can plan the organisation of each event carefully, you just can't control our weather and climate!

This fact was all too evident this year when both these meteorological processes proved their power to disrupt. Our long harsh winter combined with cold, drizzly weather on the day impacted all too clearly on our opening visit of the year to The Manor of Dean. Not only were the spring bulbs “firmly closed for business” but the winter building works on the house were incomplete due to enforced builder inactivity during the weeks of deep snow. Hence the gardens were not able to give us the pleasurable experience that I planned.

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Private tour to Munstead Wood
Hascombe, Near Godalming, Surrey
Wednesday 21 st April at 11am
Cost: £10

“Munstead Wood is considered to be one of the most perfect expressions of the blending of nature, house and garden.”

For garden designers, Munstead Wood is one of the most famous gardens in England . It was the home of Gertrude Jekyll the renowned plantswoman and in 1896 she employed Edwin Lutyens to design the house. The Tudor style house is set in a 10 acre restored wooded garden developed by Gertrude over many years. She created ways of planting that were very innovative in their day.

At the time of our visit we should be able to enjoy masses of rhododendrons, vibrant azaleas, tulips and irises.

The current owner, Lady Clark, will be our guide to both the house and garden. After the visit, lunch will be available at the pub nearby.

Lorna's Report
There was a big improvement in the elements when our next visit to Munstead Wood took place. Beautiful blue skies greeted our arrival – so weather behaving itself! However, climate was still not quite on our side since the rhododendrons and azaleas were behind their natural flowering time due to the cold spring. However location, location, location saved the day! The stunning Lutyens designed “house within a wood” planned by Gertrude Jekyll was fascinating. Our private tour, of the whole house revealed more than most people knew of Gertrude. She was not only a famous Victorian plantswoman and garden designer but a skilled craftswoman, furniture maker and photographer. Our thanks go to Sir Richard and Lady Clark who allowed us this private and somewhat intimate tour – a rare opportunity.

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Private tour to Marle Place Gardens and Gallery
Brenchley, near Lamberhurst, Kent
Monday 10 th May at 2pm
Cost: £12 to include a cream tea

Situated in the Wealden AONB, Marle Place Gardens and Gallery is one of the “Seven Wonders of the Weald” and is both a plantsman and artists garden.

Comprising 10 acres of formal and informal planting encircled by old woodland and orchards, it is typical of the landscape of the “ garden of England .” These peaceful, privately owned gardens were first designed in 1890 as a series of hedged rooms. There are many surprising features as the current owners delight in the unusual, such as the mosaic terrace. There are historical details with the Victorian gazebo, Edwardian rockery and Italinate 1900 walled garden. The gardens have also been influenced with ideas from around the world as in the statuary, the bamboo plantation and the bog garden. Large numbers of azaleas and rhododendrons will be in flower during our visit. There is a beautifully restored C19th greenhouse which is home to a colourful orchid collection.

There is always an exhibition to see in the gallery and the resident artists' studio is often open and there is more work in the garden and tearoom.

The current owner will give us a tour of the garden and tea will be served at the end of the visit.

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Private cruise on the Wey and Arun Canal
Loxwood, near Horsham, West Sussex
Thursday 24th June at 2pm
Cost: £20 inlcuding tea

A private charter of the 50ft narrowboat, Zachariah Keppel, on the Wey and Arun Canal will explore the quiet waters of one of Britain 's most beautiful canals. The cruise will last for nearly 3 hours and it is good to know that the boat is weatherproof and has both a toilet and comfortable seating! During the cruise you will notice that a great deal of restoration has taken place in recent years along the canal and there should be a wealth of flora and fauna to enjoy along the way.

After the cruise, afternoon tea will be served at the nearby Onslow Arms where you are also able to park for free.

>Please join us to take advantage of these benefits

Tea Lawn at the Manor of Dean