Henleaze Garden Club
Mottisfont/Sandhill Farm
Visit B: Monday 3 June
Mottisfont/Sandhill Farm (Andy McIndoe’s garden), Hampshire
Executive coach with toilet
Depart 8am, Mottisfont 10.30am—13.45pm, Sandhill Farm 2pm-4.30pm, return 7pm.
Cost: £48.75 or £28.75 for National Trust members (must bring membership card)
We set off early from Henleaze to arrive at Mottisfont Abbey, owned by the National Trust, near Romsey, Hampshire, by 10.30am.
Ancient trees, babbling brooks and rolling lawns frame this 18th century house with a medieval priory at its heart.
Early June should be the perfect time to see the famous rose collection in the walled garden at its absolute best. The collection of over 500 varieties of pre-1900 old roses was assembled over many years by the eminent rosarian Graham Stuart Thomas and brought to Mottisfont in 1972. These old roses flower just once a year in June and form an extraordinary annual sight.
Apart from the rose garden and the parkland with its lawns, large plane trees and the River Test flowing through (you may see trout), there's a great deal to see at Mottisfont, from an 800-year-old vaulted cellarium to Rex Whistler’s extraordinary drawing room. Time permitting, visit the gallery to see changing exhibitions throughout the year. The house also displays a permanent collection of 20th-century art.
Bring a picnic our get lunch at the Kitchen Café. Additional catering facilities are available during busy periods.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/mottisfont
1.45pm depart Mottisfont for a 15-minute journey to Sandhill Farm.
IAndy McIndoe's Garden
Andy, who gave a talk at Henleaze Garden Club in 2021, and his wife Ros welcome visitors to their garden by appointment, mainly in June and July when the meadow is at its best. The garden is about 2.5 acres on a sloping hillside with a large area of meadow and a wide variety of trees, shrubs and perennials. Of note are the flowering dogwoods which are a wonderful sight in early summer. The terrace features numerous pots and containers, and there is a small gravel garden and two ponds.
Andy will give a guided tour of the garden for about an hour, explaining its development and introducing the plants (and the cats!). On all tours there will be the opportunity to chat, ask questions or explore the garden individually. After the tour there will be tea/coffee with cake/biscuits. Books and plants are available for sale.
​
Sarah Davies