Classy Claydon House

Claydon house

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't updated for a while, I have been very busy at work so have been tired in the evenings.
Last month I visited Claydon House, a national trust property in Buckinghamshire. The house is owned by the Trust but the gardens are still owned and looked after by the Verney family.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claydon







As a national trust member it was free entry to the house but an additional £5 for the entrance to the garden. The staff at reception were very polite and knowledgeable about the area. Unfortunately, I could not take any pictures within the house itself as cameras were prohibited. The inside of the house was a distinctive collection of Verney family history. The 'Chinese Room' was my favourite part of the house featuring white figurines throughout the room which highlighted the Victorian obsession with oriental design.

Plaque of Queen Victoria in the garden.

 I was lucky enough to get there just in time for a gardens tour. I tagged along and listened to the  interesting history of the Verney Family and the gardens. There I learnt about the original design of the garden by James Sanderson, a pupil of 'Capability Brown', and how the Verney family have had a large input over the years.

Flowering Magnolia in the Serpentine borders.

The tour began next to the Fernery and led us along the serpentine borders to the walled garden. The walled garden featured herbaceous borders, fruit and veg production and a small orchard.  The tour then led us through the woodland garden and into the younger areas of the garden and then onto the lawns surrounding the house.

Moon gate looking into the reflection pond.

 The Moon gate and Reflection Pond was my favourite area of the garden. Its peaceful atmosphere earmarked the area for quiet contemplation and introspection. To the left of the Moon gate in the picture is a flowering cream Magnolia. The borders either side are still in their first spring flushes here but will definitely look fabulous in the Summer.

I believe the Reflection Pond was originally designed as a swimming pool and then converted into a pond. The wonderful pond features various types of Waterlilies, Nymphaea sp.

Reflection Pond in the centre of one section of the walled gardens.

Hay bales in the Walled Garden.

 I found these hay bales an interesting horticultural idea that I would like to try out myself. The plan is for them to be thoroughly watered and fertilised for two weeks and then planted into with tomatoes. The straw provides a water retaining medium, which should not contain weed seeds and as the straw decomposes provides the necessary nutrients for vegetables. At the end of the season the straw bales can then be added to your compost heap.

Trained fruit trees in the walled garden

I had a great afternoon out. I would say the whole site takes about 3 hours to explore and then time for tea and cake. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. However, this garden does not feature a large amount for children to do but there is a trail you can follow.

I would recommend this place to visit.
Thanks for reading
Jennifer