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Garden Name: Chesters Walled Garden
Last Modified: 13/01/2010
Garden ID: 0558

pic: 0558_ChestersWalledGarden.jpg

Owner: Susie White
Address:
Chollerford
Hexham

Postcode: NE46 4BQ
County: Northumberland

tel: 01434 681483
fax: 
website: www.chesterswalledgarden.co.uk
email: mail {at} chesterswalledgarden.fsnet.co.uk

Features: 


English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
Very sadly the garden is having to close because the landlord will not renew the lease.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May/June
July
Aug/Sept

To see: 
Early perennials, Thymes
Herbaceous borders
origanums (majoram)

National Collection: 
Thyme and Majoram. Now Sanguisorba also.

National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 10th May, Sun

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:


Parking: Yes
Lavatories: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: No
Teas: No
Refreshments: No
Picnics: No
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: No

Other Facilities:



Designer: Susie White
Description of Garden:
Chesters is a two-acre, 18th Century garden, sheltered on three sides by beeches and yew, but open to the south to display the wonderful view over the lovely upper Tyne valley. It is laid out as a herb and herbaceous garden, boasting one of the largest collections of herbs in the country, neatly contained within clipped box hedges. Espalier apple trees, some over a hundred years old, frame the wide gravel paths and there are long vistas and also seats in quiet corners for rest and contemplation.

The National Thyme Collection, growing on a raised bank thirty metres long, resembles a Persian carpet in June and July with its glowing colours and honey bees hovering over it. Nearby the National Collection of Marjoram is housed in a Mediterranean border with rosemaries, sages and other highly scented herbs growing in gravel.

An interesting Roman Garden in small formal beds shows the herbs that the Romans grew in Britain for culinary, medicinal and sacred purposes. There are also some 100 varieties of old fashioned and species roses chosen mainly for their aroma planted in the walled garden reaching perfection in July. The extensive herbaceous borders feature unusual plants, being double and variegated forms of cottage garden favourites. A medieval knot garden is laid out in the form of a design dating back to 1617.

The garden is run organically, attracting a wonderful range of birdlife (68 different species), red squirrels, frogs, newts and toads to the two ponds, and bees and butterflies galore. All this is achieved by careful planting of nectar rich flowers and seed and hip-bearing plants.


History: 
It is located near the Roman fort of Chesters on the line of Hadrian's Wall with a Roman road actually crossing the garden. For over 200 years the garden was the fruit and vegetable garden for Chesters House.

Local Inns: 
The Crown, Humshaugh

Accomodation: 
The George, Chollerford

Restaurants: 
St. Oswald's Teashop for light lunches
Restaurants in Hexham

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Hadrian's Wall
Chester's Roman Fort with famous bathhouse