Sudbury Hall

Despite being so close to home (45 minutes dive) I hadn't visited Sudbury Hall till last Christmas. Then, we mainly explored the house with its seasonal Cinderella decorations and ignored the garden (snow attempted to fall a couple of times while we were there), so I'd always intended to go back in nicer weather. 

Heading past the door to spend a weekend with family seemed like an ideal opportunity but this time the weather had swung to the opposite extreme of one of this summer's heatwaves. 

Passing through the courtyard and by the Children's Museum we walked along the gardens on the south front, through an area of woodland which I believe has bluebells in spring, and along the edge of the lake. Not far but quite far enough as the day got hotter. I maybe should have gone into the house which might have been cooler.

 

Calke Abbey - roses

One of the advantages of being a National Trust member is being able to return, particularly to local properties, several times a year and see the gardens change throughout the year.

Last time I went to Calke the wisteria was the main attraction. Going back in June the roses were the stars.

The lawns on the hillside leading up to the walled gardens are full of wild flowers, but inside the walls everything is more ordered.

Formal beds sit in the centre and roses brighten the surrounding walls.

And heading into the kitchen garden the scent follows with roses against the walls and lavender down the centre path