We went to Calke Abbey at the beginning of September with our grandson for an exploration of the Garden of Imagination - part of the National Trust's Summer of Play. This initiative is great for getting children outdoors but not so good for adults getting a look at the garden or house - so we went back a couple of days later, when school had resumed.
The squash plants sprawling over the kitchen garden were fruiting in weird and wonderful shapes, watched over, as ever, by the scarecrows.
Orchard fruit was ripening - apples, pears, quince, and the less common medlar.
Along the borders up to the gardeners' office, the dahlias were looking gorgeous, in every shape and colour possible.
And in the walled garden, late season flowers continued to bloom.
