We only had time to spend about half an hour exploring, so there was just the chance for a very swift walk around, but we did manage to capture a fair few photos of the gardens, which were still looking lovely. It would be great to be able to go back at the height of Summer to take in the borders in their full glory.
Compared to a lot of National Trust properties, the gardens are contained in a fairly small area and, for us, an hour would probably have been the idea amount of time to have been able to spend there.
Whilst the gardens are fairly small they are still a real treat and there are quite a few different areas to explore which lead you on through hedges and round corners to new surprises.
Stone steps lead you up into the rose garden and the double herbaceous borders.
Even though it was the end of the season, there was still lots of colour to be seen and some beautiful views looking back at the old stone house.
From the back of the herbaceous border we found our way into the kitchen garden where, again, there was still plenty of colour to be found, particularly amongst the chard and the pumpkin patches.
There was no time for us to partake of the usual National Trust flapjack today, but there was a lovely tea garden in sight of 'The Shack'.
From here we had a quick look at the garden at the front of the house, which was just as lovely.
All too soon it was time for us to head off to catch our ferry back to Lymington. If we'd had a little longer I think we would have explored a little further beyond the formal gardens and had a walk up to the viewpoint.I am sure a stop in the tea garden would also have been very welcome.
I think this is one place that we will definitely be putting on the list for a re-visit at some time in the future.
lovely garden
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