5. The Private Gardens of Jersey
Dates: Monday 16 – Friday 20 June
Jersey has some beautiful gardens that are rarely open to the public. These short breaks will give you the chance to get to see four or five of the best accompanied by gardens expert Dennis Shaw who has been giving out tips on local radio for the past 25 years.
Cost £365 includes 4 nights bed and breakfast at Greenhills Country Hotel, guide, transport and all entries.
Arrive Monday.
Tuesday: Morning visit to Radier Manor. This stunning garden, at the residence of the 10th Earl and Countess of Jersey, with a view across the estate to the sea, boasts a 37-year-old camellia walk and includes a walled garden filled with roses and flowers. There is also a water garden with a large lake populated with huge carp and around 40 wild ducks and a well garden, all of which are connected by pathways and beautifully manicured lawns. An exotic plant border on the top lawn as well as luxuriant woodland all abound in this beautiful garden created from scratch by the late 9th Earl in a reflection of the gardens at both Osterly House and Middletone Stoney, the former seats of the Earls of Jersey.
Lunch at own expense at Rozel Bay.
Afternoon visit to Les Vaux, Rozel.
Situated in its own steep-sided valley in Rozel, this beautiful informal garden has been developed by Lady Guthrie over the past 40 years. The water garden was constructed in 1971. A small stream runs through a series of pools at the foot of the granite wall to one side of the drive and is fed by natural drainage from the lakes above. Les Vaux is a garden planted for all year round colour and effect. There are also many fine specimen trees from all over the world and several years ago, Lady Guthrie purchased the land at the head of the valley and developed it into what is now a wildlife haven. Finally, there are the peacocks, bantams and hens who inhabit the courtyards and garages, the life-size sculptures of animals and birds and the handrails made from old fork and spade handles. All add up to the wonderful sense of fun incorporated into this stunning garden.
Wednesday: Morning visit to Creux Baillot Cottage, St Ouen.
Set in a tranquil valley and accessed only by a small country lane. A garden created with a diverse collection of over 2,000 mainly herbaceous perennials from all over the world. Full of interesting features such as a bog garden viewed from an elevated wooden walkway and the attractive old granite cottage built into the side of the valley. The garden has been featured on a number of television programmes including BBC Gardener's World.
Lunch at own expense in St Brelade's Bay.
Afternoon visit to Grey Gables, St Brelade.
Grey Gables was bought by its present owner in 1979 and the garden as it is now is the result of careful planning over the years. It is set in seven and a half acres and has a mixture of formal garden and large areas of natural wooded banks sloping towards the roadway. One of the best ways to approach the garden is to stroll down to the valley through the spring-flowering shrubs which include camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas. At the end is a pond which is home to a family of mallards. At the back of the house there is a lawn once used for croquet and beside a small pond is a beautiful bronze of Circe by Philip Jackson, who also created th Liberation Group sculpture in Liberation Square. From the new greenhouse a path leads through the rose garden to the white garden, herb garden and to a new fruit tree and vegetable area, recently opened up by the removal of an old hedge. This lovely garden is always changing and is largely natural - which of course is what provides so much of its charm.
Thursday: Free except for a visit to one other garden, to be chosen nearer the time.
Friday: Return home.