************* Garden Owners, Please copy this information and paste it into an email to: wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us. Regards, Armchair Travel Co Ltd http://www.armchair-travel.com ************* Garden Name: Canons Ashby House Last Modified: 11/01/2011 Garden ID: 0261 pic: 0261_CanonsAshby.jpg Owner: National Trust Address: Daventry Postcode: NN11 3SD County: Northampton tel: 01327 860044 fax: 01327 861909 website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk email: Features: After completing the reinstatement of the Sun dial Terrace last year and a fernery in the Green Court, this year we are starting on the second phase of the Garden Restoration which incorporates the top terrace. This involves reinstating five beds in each of the lawns, four round beds in each corner with one diamond in the centre all planted with seasonal bedding. The croquet lawn was previously screened from view from the top terrace by a yew hedge planted in the 1980. A croquet set is now available to borrow so the lawn can once again be used for its intended purpose! English Heritage Grade: II* Opening Times: 13th Feb - 19th Dec; Sat - Wed; 11am - 5:30pm, 31st July - 1st Sept; daily; 11am - 5pm Open Good Fri: 11am - 5pm. Closes dusk if earlier. Last admission 30mins before closing Best Times of Year to Visit: Summer To see: Fernery, Annual bedding, mixed borders,fruit trees National Collection: National Garden Scheme days: Yes Comments: 29th May & 5th Sept, Suns. Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: Viewing by Appointment: Yes Comments: Write to Head Gardener (s.a.e.) House Open for Viewing: Yes Comments: House tours: 13th Feb - 31st Oct; Sat - Wed; 11am - 1pm. 31st July - 1st Sept; daily; 11am - 4pm. House open 13th Feb - 31st Oct; 1pm - 5pm. 6th Nov - 19th Dec; 12 noon - 4pm Admission Prices: Adult £8.50, child £4.15, family £20.75. Groups £6.95, child £3.40. Garden only: £3.10, child £1.85, Winter grounds only: £1.85, child1.05. Group Adults £2.95 Child £1.75 Donation box for church Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: Yes Lunches: Yes Teas: Yes Refreshments: Yes Picnics: Yes Dogs allowed: Yes Only on Lead: Yes Events: Yes Other Facilities: Dogs on lead in Home Paddock/Car park only. Also picnics there only. Designer: London & Wise style. Description of Garden: A lovely romantic garden set in rolling Northamptonshire countryside surrounding a very elegant old country house faced in the attractive golden-brown stone of that area. The terraces, now restored by the National Trust are full of fruit bushes, vines, and apple trees mixed with flowers and shrubs. Remarkably one of the original four great cedars planted in 1781 still survives, guarding the main axis leading down past lawns, roses, yews and lilacs to the Lion Gates with their fine Baroque gate piers. Beyond these an avenue of limes connects the garden to the fine and surprisingly large church and passes the wild flower gardens. The West Court containing eight topiary yews was once the main entrance to the house but its sweep of lawn, espaliered walls and charming statue of a shepherd boy demonstrate the elegance of an early 18th century garden. History: An old Tudor house with a pele tower was refaced by Edward Dryden in 1710 though he had begun work on the garden in 1708 using a simple but elegant and dignified design with walls to shelter the plants from the winds, and terraces and avenues leading down towards the church, lake and into the park. The National Trust faced a difficult task in restoring this garden to its former grandeur but was aided by articles and photographs in 'Country Life' and earlier publications on garden design around the turn of the 20th century, which lauded Canons Ashby for the simple formality of its layout. Local Inns: Kings Arms, Farthingstone Royal Oak, Eydon Windmill, Badby George & Dragon, Chacombe Accomodation: Windmill, Badby Restaurants: Village/Town/Sightseeing: