Posted on by susurrus

Cothay Manor Garden

Cothay Manor garden

Last year I shared pictures of the courtyard garden at Cothay Manor. This post is take two, about the rest of the garden. I’m skimping on the words this time around, and concentrating on the pictures.

Clematis arch over the gate

Sinuous gravel path through a flower garden
Designers often talk of softening a path: this one is suitably sinuous
Traditional lily pool at Cothay Manor
Traditional lily pool

The whole garden is a lovely mix of formal and informal; the planting everywhere softens the geometry.

White thyme used as underplanting in a cut out shape beneath a variegated tree
White thyme underplanting a variegated tree in a cut out shape

I tried to find out the name for the shape cut into the lawn below this decorative tree but drew a blank. It’s a hexagon pulled outwards. Although I didn’t get a great picture, I found it utterly charming with all the layers of interest.

Rambling roses at Cothay Manor

After I shared another shot of these ramblers recently, Maureen (Oddment) and I had been wondering whether it was wise to wish for the medieval manor house as well as its rambling roses because of the dusting involved. I made no mention of the mullioned windows.

It turns out this was not all pipe dream as the house is up for sale (offers above £5 million). I’m going to have to pass, but if you’d like to look inside, now’s your chance.

Purple leaf sage: Salvia oficianalis purpurea
Herbs included a fine clump of purple leaf sage (Salvia oficianalis purpurea)
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erigeron karvinskianus is permitted to carpet some areas

Slate piled up to make a sculpture

Pots overspilling with annual flowers at Cothay Manor
Large, decorative pots of annuals help to pack in colour
Cothay Manor unicorn walk
Cothay Manor’s unicorn guards one end of a tree-lined walk planted with catmint

I feel a bit chastened learning the manor is for sale. It’s w-a-a-a-y out of my way, but it would be a shame if people were no longer able to visit. The garden was very quiet on the hot summer day of our visit and the current climate is not helping gardens to survive.

33 Replies to “Cothay Manor Garden”

    1. That sounds nice, but I’m not sure I would like to own it even if I could. It is such a responsibility to preserve a house and garden of this scale and stature.

  2. What a lovely garden, I love the unicorn and the first shot 🙂 I hope whoever buys the house continues to keep the garden open to visitors.

  7. Gasp! You weren’t kidding about rooms! Of course I clicked on the link to see inside, and it made me feel like the smallest of tiny ants. The whole of it, buildings and gardens, is overwhelming. I cannot imagine the commitment and labor. But what wonder has been preserved!

    I’ve changed my mind now: just the rose and that piano, please.

    1. We didn’t have the chance to go in so I was interested to see the architecture and furnishings too. I second your thought in saluting the commitment and labour involved over the years.

  8. What a beautiful garden. Looks just like my dream garden, although I daresay it requires much maintenance in pruning, shaping and tidying up (in general).

    Many non-gardeners think gardens just grow by themselves, but I remember my Mother saying it took all of her spare time, almost a full-time job.

    It looks just like a photo in one of my old herb books where the rosemary is nearly as tall as the house itself. Did you notice any exceptionally high Rosemary bushes when you visited?

    1. I can’t remember seeing the rosemary. I did see the hugest Rosa Mutabilis I have ever seen trained as a climber against a wall there. We just missed seeing it in bloom, but that must be truly amazing in full bloom.

  9. I remember this garden from your post and recall being utterly charmed by it. It would be a shame if it was no longer open to the public. 5M is a lotta cash!

  10. Beautiful, beautiful gardens, and I was particularly taken by the unicorn. But your last sentence was a sobering one. I didn’t realize gardens in England were having such a hard time.

    1. Gardens have been in the news because they are opening with reduced visitor numbers and booked entry only, but quite a lot of people who have booked are not turning up. I dare say our weather has something to do with that, but it’s making life even more difficult.

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