About the Gardens

Formerly the fruit garden for nearby Monteviot House, the walled garden is still home to some original espalier and cordon apple and pear trees. We get an unbelievable crop of fruit, much of which ends up in cakes! In January 2012 we did some major pruning of these trees (which involved a chainsaw!) to bring them back down to the correct height. This has done them the world of good and this year 2013 they have produced a bumper crop of apples.

Built on a south facing slope (the Victorians were smart!) and surrounded by trees, the garden is a peaceful setting – a wonderfully secluded spot to relax and enjoy the wide sky and to listen to the sound of birdsong. In summer the garden is warmed by the sun, and in winter the frost lingers to create amazing patterns.

We are slowly developing the gardens, planting out new borders and establishing new trees and shrubs. It’s a slow process but we like it that way – we don’t do instant makeovers! A second-hand greenhouse went up in early 2013 which enables us to grow tender crops like tomatoes and cucumbers for supplying the cafe, and we have extended the vegetable production area. In September 2011 we established a “Stumpery” planted with ferns and other shade loving plants, and in the summer of 2011 local business Border Aggregates and Landscaping Supplies kindly installed a slate monolith feature. We hope that you will become a regular visitor to Woodside, to watch our garden develop and to be inspired perhaps with ideas for your own garden.