The Herefordshire Wye Valley Holme Lacy Shipley Estate
Shipley gardens
are set within 30 acres of mixed environmental habitats adjacent
to the River Wye at Holme Lacy. The wonderfully informal and
inspirational
garden style has been created during the last 40 years by owner
Bob Macadie.
garden style has been created during the last 40 years by owner
Bob Macadie.
The old boat forms a place for Peacocks to roost and
Peahens to nest, temporally safe from the many foxes wandering the floor of
the valley. The
Gardens habitats include many specially contrived places for Barn Owls; Bats and a range of other animals
Gardens habitats include many specially contrived places for Barn Owls; Bats and a range of other animals
Each year, there are plantings of the seeds of
differing annual flowers and vegetables from the various regions of the world. These are integrated into the structures of trees,
shrubs and perennials forming the garden rooms.
A magical structure of garden rooms are
moulded into the base of the escarpment next to the flood plain of the valley floor, in which strong groups of conventional garden flowers, jostle with the changing mix of wild plants from warmer regions.
moulded into the base of the escarpment next to the flood plain of the valley floor, in which strong groups of conventional garden flowers, jostle with the changing mix of wild plants from warmer regions.
April produces
displays of Primula beneath strands of Weeping Willow with a
pathway leading to the adjacent Badminton Court. The doorway provides views to the Woolhope Dome, containing one of the largest diversities of butterflys.
displays of Primula beneath strands of Weeping Willow with a
pathway leading to the adjacent Badminton Court. The doorway provides views to the Woolhope Dome, containing one of the largest diversities of butterflys.
The large brilliant orange and scarlet foxglove flowers of the Trumpet Vine.
Campsis Grandiflora, from the south east of the United States flower in late
summer, simultaneously with the giant Red Hot Poker from South Africa.
I made six arm chairs and a dozen benches
in 1996 in the manner of Charles Renee Mackintosh of the 1896
L'Art Nouveaux period. They are fabricated from recycled horse
paddock mortised oak post & rail that had rotted at their base.
Some pf the mixes of wild and cultivated flowers can
produce captivating photo opportunities. In late July the white Golf ball
heads of Echinops nivalis, alive with bees and insects, intermingle with the
white seed fleece of Epilobium.
There is an old swimming pool still used by the family
in a building that has one spacious end as unique and charming Tea Rooms,
with their own atmosphere. There are home made cakes in variety, and hot
weather offerings of fresh lemon drinks.