More Glorious Gardens
114 TUTOR: Patricia Rowell (BSc MPhil)
The
Wiltshire area boasts some of the finest gardens in the country. On this
course, you will visit a selection of these Glorious Gardens, some open to the
public, others private, but all with wonderful design and planting. On the way,
you will be driven through the beautiful countryside of the Marlborough Downs,
South Oxfordshire and then into the Cotswolds. From 17th century Dyrham Park to
a 21st century garden at Hanham Court created by Julian and Isabel Bannerman,
garden designers best known for their work at Highgrove, there will be a garden
to appeal to everyone.
COURSE No.
WEEK
AM
PM
FULL DAY
FEE
STATUS
SELECT COURSE
Wiltshire
and its surrounding counties not only has outstanding natural beauty, but an
impressive range of wonderful gardens.In this, my second selection of gardens, we will drive through the
Wiltshire and Oxfordshire countryside and up into the Cotswolds to find lovely
gardens in which to spend time, learning about the history of the garden and
enjoying the design and planting. Where possible we will meet owners and
gardeners and have talks or guided walks around the gardens.
During
the week we will visit as many gardens as possible taking our picnic lunch with
us and some afternoons enjoying a cream tea in the gardens.
Though
of course I hope we will blessed with lovely weather we will continue come rain
or shine, so please be prepared with waterproofs and good footwear.
Some
of the gardens are quite extensive and involve narrow paths and steps and have
wilder areas that are worth exploring. We should have time to absorb the
atmosphere of each garden as well as looking at the planting and design.
A selection of the gardens that we plan to visit in 2021;
Waterperry
Gardens
Dyrham
Park
Hannam
Court.
Miserden
Gardens
Painswick
Rocco Gardens
Bourton
House
Sezincote
Rookwood
Farmhouse
PLEASE NOTE THAT ON SOME DAYS, TO ALLOW US TO ENJOY THE GARDENS
FULLY, WE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE COLLEGE UNTIL 5.30PM
I
hope you will be able to join me this summer.
Patricia Rowell
BSc MPhil
About Patricia
Patricia was born and brought up in Canterbury by parents who were keen
gardeners. One of her first gardening memories is driving off with her mother
in her original mini in search of plants recommended by Percy Thrower on the
early days of 'Gardener's World'!
After studying Agricultural Botany at Reading University she then
worked on a research degree in Plant Pathology at London University's Wye
College.
This led to research jobs on various horticultural crops, from lettuce
to beans including a few years in Canada trying to control blight on onions.
Patricia married a fellow plant pathologist and they returned to
England and settled in Wiltshire where she ran a business growing and selling
dried flowers while she renovated their derelict cottage and garden and had
three children. She was fortunate to get offered the job of gardening
correspondent for the local paper, this opened lots of doors including looking
after the Master's garden at the College for 14 years and teaching at Wiltshire
Adult Education College.
Patricia now enjoys running a garden design and advice business as well
as teaching at Summer School and organising her own courses and workshops on
gardening subjects.
