An Afternoon Out

All this week we have had some pleasant weather. Neither too hot or too cold. Himself wanted an outing but various appointments meant we were occupied until yesterday. So after a light lunch we headed North along the A1. We weren't going far just to a small village south of Grantham. We had made this trip some months ago but forgot to do the proper research and found the gardens closed. That trip finished at Downtown the large outlet store near Grantham for some retail therapy.

This trip we were prepared, research done before we headed out. The 400 year old gardens we were aiming for are now in their 13 year of restoration work. The 12 acre site, once the magnificent grounds of Easton Hall the home of the Cholmeley family since 1592  was completely neglected and overgrown. 

                        

A view of Easton Hall and terraces in 1901

Sir Henry Cholmeley bought the Manor of Easton in 1592 and built this house overlooking the River Witham. That hall survived until the beginning of the 19 century. In 1805 the house was enlarged and parts rebuilt by Sir Montague Cholmeley. Later yet another rebuild took place by another Sir Montague
 During World war 11 the Hall was requisitioned by the Army and a unit of the Royal Artillery were based here. During this time the Hall was subjected to considerable damage. After the war there was no manpower of money available to do the repair and restoration work needed and the Hall was demolished in 1951. The beautiful landscaped grounds were lost to undergrowth scrub and wild Alder trees

The remains of the elevated front of Easton Hall

The Gate House entrance to Easton Hall Grounds as it is today.

The Cholmeleys of Easton Hall

A new garden planted on the site of part of the old Hall

The Cedar Meadow.
Many of the magnificent trees from the early Parkland Landscaping have survived. 

The terraced steps down to the river walk and the walled garden beyond

The River is the Witham that flow out to the Wash through Boston. Its badly overgrown and the Rivers Authority are wading about in it doing some much needed cleaning and restoring. Hazel sticks are being used to line some of the bank for the small fish to spawn safely in.

the Victorian stone bridge spanning the Witham to the Wall garden beyond

 The Victorian stone bridge was not visible before the restoration began and the Yew tunnel in the garden  is slowly being tamed. A rose garden and orchard are newly planted in the Walled garden over the river.
Its quite a steep decent down to the river and the walled garden I decide not to risk the walk and elect to sit in the sunshine and wait for 'Himself' to have a ramble around.

On his return we amble around the other gardens that have been recovered and recreated. The vegetable garden is  still productive with runner beans taking pride of place

A bean walk through.

The Potting Shed. 

Theres also a garden called The Pickery where flowers and vegetables grow together and a lovely Cottage Garden. As it is getting late in the season many of the flowers were past their best but there were still bright patches of colour.

Sweet peas despite being almost over still perfumed the air and the gardens were alive with bees and other insects.
The awnings behind 'Himself' is were the little tea shop is so a rest with refreshments were just the ticket. We had a lovely cold Belvoir organic Elderflower cordial (from the estate of Belvoir Castle just a few miles away) to wash down yummy lemon drizzle cake and coffee and walnut cake.
We then just had time to go into the History room where the history of the Hall, the family and the garden restoration is documented. I resisted buying any of the plants for sale in the stables courtyard and the garden related goodies in the small shop.

A really pleasant afternoon but we must remember to made the journey again next year to see all the plants at their best. maybe early June. Thats a date.