Childerley Hall Childerley Hall, Dry Drayton, Cambridge. CB23 8BA
Do come and enjoy the gardens, and delicious teas and ice-creams. All proceeds to The British Red Cross. Price £6 and children under 12 free
This drought has of course had an impact on the gardens, and whilst much of what is described below is there, it’s not quite as colourful as we would expect! Additionally, the drought presented a once in a half-century opportunity! With the extremely low water level, we decided to drain the pond and remove decades of silt and sludge. This is a work in progress but interesting to see.
The gardens you see today are essentially the creation of Chloe Jenkins, aided and abetted by the input of previous generations at Childerley. The long terrace walk, together with the moated walk being part of the original Elizabethan house, the walled kitchen garden a Victorian addition, while the rockery garden with its curving paved paths was introduced during the Edwardian era. The only plantings that survive from these historical innovations are the box grove (in the middle of the White Garden), the mulberry tree in the aptly named ‘Mulberry Garden’ and the clipped yew sentinel opposite the entrance to the Chapel. The ancient horse chestnut tree in the North Garden is clearly a survivor but we don’t know exactly when it was planted.
The Garden in a normal September: The collection of roses, old and modern, which are to be found in all quarters of the Childerley gardens, should display a vivid mix of brightly coloured hips and softer autumn flowers. Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ and Rosa sweginzowii in the Rose Jungle bearing particularly striking hips. In the White Garden, the huge blooms of the white Dahlia stand out among their companions of Romneya coulteri and white cosmos. Salvia ‘Cambridge Blue’ stands tall between the roses in the Terrace borders and, on a warm day, the scent of Abelia grandiflora will catch you unawares as you walk towards the Chapel. In this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, the fecundity of the garden is much in evidence! Apples, pears, quinces, lemons and medlars all add to the autumn scene. And wherever you wander, do not miss the carpet of cyclamen in the copse and along the moated walk.
Parking in nearby field (follow signage). If you require blue badge parking please send an email to events@childerley.org and we will contact you directly with specific information as to where to park.
Cash is preferred at this venue due to lack of signal for our card machine.
Directions: Childerley is located off the A428 between the Cambourne and Dry Drayton Exits on to what is known as the St Neots Road. DO NOT approach Childerley from Boxworth – if you do you will find yourself on a gated farm track going nowhere! The turning to Childerley Drive is between Caldecote and Bourn and is signposted from the St Neots Road. The drive is 1.5 miles long so don’t give up!
Well behaved dogs welcome on leads.