Some gardens just make your heart sing. Bryan’s Ground is one of those amazing places. It’s a heady mixture of formal, intimate rooms (about three acres of these),
and planting chaos, where self-seeders are left to do their own thing (Fennel, teasels and Inula (?) above),
blousey perennials wilfully flop into pathways
and climbers scramble up old bedsteads.
I first read about Bryan’s Ground on The Patient Gardeners blog, some years ago, and it wasn’t until last July that I finally managed to find my way over to see the gardens which are on the Welsh border about 20 miles from Hay-on-Wye.
Originally I’d been wowed by an image of a whole room full of Irises (have a look at Michelle’s pics of these) and planned to visit in May, but by the time I’d coordinated my plans with Veronica from Through the Garden Gate, summer was upon us and the irises (above) were well and truly over. We didn’t mind at all.
I’m sure whenever you visit, there’ll be gorgeous planting to see,
and sculpture and follies aplenty to enjoy.
This truly inspiring garden has been created by David Wheeler and Simon Dorrell (who also are the writers of the quarterly Hortus magazine) since 1993.
At every turn there are playful vistas and great planting ideas,
and I know it’s a garden that I’ll want to return to time and time again. Veronica felt the same.
Once you’ve wound your way all the different rooms, paths then lead you into the arboretum and another five acres with a large pond,
stylish mowing, and many specimen trees.
It’s a lovely calm spot.
When you’ve finished your wanderings, there’s also delicious cakes to tempt you and a small nursery area. Plan your visit well, as Bryan’s Ground is only open Sunday and Monday afternoons, this year from mid April until the end of July. Group visits can also be arranged by appointment. Most definitely worth making the trip.
I loved Bryan’s Ground and I was lucky to visit when the irises were out. They made me want to dance and sing for joy. 🙂
Ah ha Michelle. I knew I’d seen pics of those Irises somewhere! Have now added a link to your post. You’re right, it’s a completely joyful garden (even in the rain) and I’d definitely like to return again this year. Nx
Thanks for the link love 🙂 Very few gardens have made me feel that way – Great Dixter is another. I’m exploring your very useful posts re French gardens – a trip to the Loire is on the cards, possibly Normandy as well 🙂
A trip to French gardens. On my goodness! What a treat! Definitely do include Normandy if you can. There’s Les Jardins Agapanthe, Jardin Plume, Les Jardins D’Angelique and the Abbey St. George de Boscherville for starters! Happy planning!
It’s one of my favourite gardens, must visit this year as missed it last year
Hi Helen, yes now definitely one my top ten gardens.
Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures of Bryans Ground…they were just what I needed on such a grey damp day. I have put details in my diary already! Kind Regards Pat
Hi Pat, Glad to have brightened your day! Happy visiting.
Looks fabulous just my sort of garden will make a point of seeing it
Hi Joan, Most definitely worth visiting. I’m going to try and make it to see the room of Irises this year….
Those are truly beautiful images, and not to far from Hay-on-Wye, where we do love to find a new book or three. This year I will definitely make a visit to Bryan’s grounds. Thankyou.
Hi Sally, have to say that we also had a lovely visit to Hay-on-Wye. Bought some good books and there were also some great vintage and retro shops too. A further delight to our travels.
The Old electric shop is our favourite place to eat, we were there mid Nov, I remember commenting on how fresh the salad was, and it had all been grown locally.
One of the most inspirational gardens I’ve visited in England (the gardens at Arundel Castle were another that stopped me in my tracks with their stunning use of colour and structure, in the productive garden especially). I’ve been twice now to Bryan’s Ground, and will definitely visit again this year. I
‘d love to go in Spring, but am only in England in the summer each year (from NZ). I was so struck by the way they used colour, innovative and clever planting, and found objects (and sculpture) so effectively. Just wonderful! Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
Hi Lois, thanks for the mention of Arundel Castle. I’ve never been, so it’s now on my list. It’s not that far from Chichester too, so could combine a trip with West Dean. Getting excited already! Glad you enjoyed the post and hope you have a good trip later in the year.
Great blog. I love these private gardens. So much more freedom of spirit.
Hi Wendy, yes, you really felt that this was a very personal garden, planted with such aplomb and joy. Nx
Thank you for the photos and recommendation to visit Bryans Ground. I hope to go and visit during the summer. Another amazing garden that is little known is Pashley Manor Garden in Kent. It is quite beautiful and you can have a delicious homegrown salad there for lunch. BTW I love reading your blog.
Hi Linda, glad you liked the pics. Have been meaning to visit Pashley Manor for some time now, so thanks for a timely reminder. And delighted the you enjoy my blog.
Gosh that’s just the sort of garden I love. The fennel image is why I have about ten seedlings steadily growing in the greenhouse to be re-planted in the ground in April.
Hi Sue, yes, I instantly went and bought a few fennel plants after visiting! Growing some more from seed some like a great idea too. Nx
This garden, from Naomi’s blog, sounds as though it can’t be far from you? Do you know it? It looks lovely.
Noo xxx
This looks such a wonderful garden to visit, I’m sorry I didn’t know about it when my uncle lived in Ross-on-Wye. I’m particularly intrigued by your photo of the apple tree – is that a free standing espaliered tree? And I love the thought of visiting when the irises are out. Thanks for flagging this one up, Naomi. Hope you’re well. Caro x
Hi Caro, Think that the apple tree has some support to be trained along. Gorgeous though isn’t it. Hope you have the chance to visit soon.N x
Nice view. Great garden. Awesome.
Glad you liked it.
What a fab garden! Your photos really show the character and detail. Lovely to see. Thank you.
Hi Jane, Glad you enjoyed the post. It was a truly inspiring visit. Can’t wait to go again, but have some other gardens that I’m itching to go and visit this summer too.
Really smashing. Love the hares.
Hi Arkenatum, yes the hares are gorgeous, and there’s lots more sculpture and found objects used throughout these wonderful creative garden spaces.
Oh I really enjoyed your post Naomi. It looks such a fabulous and unique garden. I’m not sure why we haven’t visited as we’ve passed through that neck of the woods so many times over the years. Maybe it’s just been a matter of timing. Maybe this will be the year we finally get there.