500 Acres in a sort of a squashed doughnut shape, owned by the National Trust but used and managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew since 1965. It's home to the Millenium Seed Bank - who are aiming to hold 25% of the world's seeds by 2020 - to save species from extinction. We won't go there today though. Another time for the seed banks.
Today it was sunny and we all need some of that at the beginning of summer. In fact, we started off with cake at the tea room and it was pretty much downhill from there, literally. Might have been the beer, but the cake was good too.
We took a walk around the mansion and through the rooms, but it was too nice to spend too much time indoors today.
The land was purchased by William de Wakehurst in 1205 but the mansion was only built in 1590.
Through many different owners over the centuries, it was only in 1903 when the property was purchased by Gerald Loder who later became Lord Wakehurst, that the property became horticulturally important. He sponsored many plant collecting expeditions, particularly in Asia and in the Southern Hemisphere. In 1963 the property was bequeathed to the National Trust. The Royal Botanical Garden, Kew leased the mansion and the property in 1965.
We didn't go very far today but there was lots to see anyway.
Birds, lots of them ...
Trees
Sculptures
Something special about an enclosed garden.
And flowers everywhere, just beautiful.
Hi Dayne.
Interesting drainpipes.
Still lots and lots to see, we'll be back.
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteYes, just the place for a good wander. Come and visit!
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