This event has now passed
By kind permission of Lord and Lady De Ramsey
Abbots Ripton Hall is a late 18C/ early 19C country house, set in eight acres of garden, including herbaceous borders, an old-fashioned rose circle, a Mediterranean grey border, rare trees, follies designed by Peter Foster, closely-mown lawns, a river and a five-acre lake.
The gardens cover an area of 8.5 acres (3.4 hectares) surrounded by managed parkland and a lake added in 1974. There are many fine old trees, large lawns, shrub, rose, herbaceous and grey borders, a bog garden as well as mixed borders. Some six follies, designed by Peter Foster, decorate the garden including a Gothick trellis in the herbaceous border and the Constable pavilion at the end of the lake. The present Lord De Ramsey’s father made major changes and restorations to the garden after WWII. The overall design was drawn up by Humphrey Waterfield who had a wonderful garden near Menton. Together with Lady De Ramsey they set about changing the garden to what it is today. From a good basic framework of old trees, lawns and the brook, they added borders, roses and mixed plantings now numbering some 1600 species.
The present Lord and Lady De Ramsey continue this work: improving borders, re-planting and adding new plants to the ever-growing collection, commissioning new hard features and maintaining the follies. They have also started a fine collection of red-list and unusual oak trees. Acorns from over 60 trees have been collected from around the world, propagated and then planted out in the garden and parkland. A more detailed description of the gardens can be found on the Parks and Gardens Register.
Logistics: access to the Hall (postcode PE28 2PQ) is through ornamental gates via Hall Lane, off the A1090 (click here for directions). Gates will open at 4:00pm and parking areas will be signed, either in front of, or behind, the maintenance buildings on the left, opposite The Hall. There will be tables and chairs on the lawn, or under cover if wet, where you can leave your picnic ready for after the garden tour, which will start at 5:00pm and led by Head Gardener, Gavin Smith. Plants will be available to buy from 4:00pm (sales will be cash only) or you can use the time to relax and enjoy the wonderful gardens; there is so much to see.
Bookings: Members and guests £20, to include the garden tour and a glass of summer refreshment, payable by BACS to the Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust account (sort code 30-99-50, account number 80635768), using your name as reference. Please book by 3 July.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust 