Visits to Dalemain Mansion and Larch Cottage Nurseries
On a recent weekend away in Cumbria, weary after walking, I was able to persuade my husband that what we needed was a gentle stroll round a garden. The sun was out and I knew just where to head because we were passing the garden en route to the M6 and the drive home.
The terrace at Dalemain.
For anyone in need of a break travelling up or down the M6, then Penrith is a good exit junction – heading west towards Ullswater, Dalemain Mansion is five minutes away and a peaceful refuge. You enter the garden by walking round the outside of the house where you emerge onto the terrace. Here there are beautiful views across the fields to the fells beyond. The terrace surface is raked gravel with informal planting – old roses tumbling over the edge of the drop and a south facing border full of perennials backed by a high wall covered in climbers. I enjoyed looking down onto the intricate flower heads of a pretty pink achillea growing through Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’.
Tropaeolum speciosum.
The terrace ends with a mighty tree – Abies cephalonica, the Silver Fir and the biggest of its type in the UK. Behind it lies the knot garden with its central fountain and box hedging. We were visiting just at the right time to see the yew hedge to one side of the garden wreathed in Tropaeolum speciosum – the flame creeper. This little perennial nasturtium requires its roots to be shaded in cool, humus-rich soil then its blooms scramble up the host plant to find the sun. Timely though we were to see this plant, we were too late in the season to see the old rose walk at its peak. This walk starts from the knot garden and follows the line of a high, brick wall that encloses the garden on one side. The walk is punctuated by arches wreathed in roses and clematis. The borders were still interesting despite the missing roses – a vibrant red dahlia stood out as did the spikes of Digitalis ferruginea.
The rose walk ends in a summer house. We turned and walked back down the central lawn with borders either side – a mix of perennials, shrubs and fruit trees. There are some lovely little cut-through paths here so you can get up close to the plants.
Dragon-shaped yew hedge.
We went down steps to the lower wild area next to the river where we encountered the yew dragon. This area is great for children to explore and I have admired Himalayan blue poppies (Meconopsis) in this area on a previous visit earlier in the season.
Larch Cottage Nurseries.
There is more good news for plantaholics about the Penrith exit on the M6. If you head east from the junction, then turn south onto the A6 towards Shap, you will find one of my favourite nurseries. The little hamlet of Melkingthorpe is just off the main road and this is where you’ll find Larch Cottage Nurseries.
This place is a ‘one off’! The creation of landscaper Peter Stott, the transformation of a Cumbrian Farm steading into a thriving nursery was started in 1985 out of his frustration at not being able to find more unusual plants. Certainly there are many unusual shrubs and perennials here, as well as the usual tried and tested varieties. All displayed in interesting spaces, surrounded by beautifully constructed walls, interspersed by pieces of architectural salvage, pots, urns and borders of well labelled plants. A unique place to visit.
We had a late lunch on the terrace of la Casa Verde overlooking the nursery, with produce from the veg garden on the menu. We could almost have been in Italy, but the keen breeze was definitely Cumbrian. Plants purchased, we had one more stop to make before heading back south – the ice cream farm down the road. Well, a summer’s day out isn’t complete without one of those!
Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens
Larch Cottage Nurseries
