Gallery View {gallery}wintergarden{/gallery}
We do not often get the snow in the winter like we have done in the earlier years living at Llanfoist House, but every now and then we are treated to a surprise when we wake up. 2010 and 2011 gave us more than a sprinkling of snow. There is something magical about snow – it somehow tidies up the garden and creates a silence that allows us to hear the crunch of footsteps in the snow. Who ever buys this large house with its large garden and grounds will never regret it because there is constant change and so many different pictures around the garden. Although we will be sad when the sale is complete we will know that the new owners will have a a wonderful home. The gardens make a wonderful adventure playground for children to play and explore.
Sunrise looking across to the foot of the Blorenge Mountain.
Looking Eastwards with the garage in the foreground – then the conservatory.
Grand flight of steps leading to our lovely georgian house.
The grand flight of steps leading from the house to the lower lawn – these we built many years ago out of stone that had been retrieved from various areas in the grounds and local demolition sites. We have always subscribed to the concept of re-using authentic materials.
Cold seat while you survey the gardens and grounds.
The potting shed – too early in the morning for the gardener to have lit his fire. If you buy the house a bonus in the sale could be that the gardener will probably be quite happy to stay and work for you. He is familiar with the extensive facilities such as water and electric that supply all parts of the grounds. He is very reliable and we are fully confident to leave him caring for the house and grounds in our absence.
Snowy textures.
The formal pond. This has recently been reaired because it had developed a leak, but is now completely clean and sound.
The bay trees laden with snow.
Garden seat and roller sinking into the snow.
The wonderful textured leaves of the mahonia.
Steps to the pond and stream
These steps rise from the upper lawn – then across the drive and up another flight of steps and through a gate to the large pond area. The gates are a safety feature – all entrances to this area of the garden have gates to ensure that small persons cannot easily access the pond and chapel area unaccompanied. This pond is a natural feature – it is fed by a stream that comes down the side of the Blorenge mountain behind the house. Because the stream is inclined to almost dry up in a hot summer the whole of the stream bed and the pond have been lined and a pumping system put in place to ensure that the waterfalls work all through the summer.
Looking across the lower lawn towards the house.
The pergola built out of old bricks with beams across and down the length to support the climbing plants.
A side view of the pergola dwarfed by the beech trees now fully mature – these were planted by the previous owners – probably more than 50 years ago.
A view of the folly across the big pond. This folly was built by us out of reclaimed features taken from a chapel – the gothic stone doorway and mullion windows add a sense of age – the fireplace makes an unusual outdoor entertainment area. Summer al fresco dining in lantern light –
A closer view of the chapel showing crisp reflections in the water.
This picture was taken from outside the chapel and looking towards the bridge that spans the stream.
The bridge – A Monet inspired feature which is designed to lead up the steep slopes of the garden to join a path that runs almost along the top of the bank.
View from inside the chapel looking through the Gothic doorway to the water beyond.
The kingfisher park in winter.
Sometimes the island makes a good hiding place for the visiting ducks, which more recently has provided a safe nesting place – so the bonus of ducklings were enjoyed last Spring as well as other wild-life including the amazing kingfishers that sometimes visit the pond.
View from the doorway of the ruined chapel folly.
Looking across the big pond to the house and in front of the house is the new large garage/workshop.