Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire, TD6 9BQ
The Walled Gardens at Abbotsford, designed by Sir Walter Scott, are a rare surviving example of a Regency garden layout. They provide a harmonious transition between the comfort of the interiors of the house with the wonders of nature, through a series of three secluded, richly detailed and sheltered ‘rooms’.
The first is the South Court, designed as the formal entrance to Abbotsford, which has an imposing entrance gate and high surrounding walls that act as a foil to the gothic arcade. There are many historical references to be discovered, inserted into the walls of the house and garden, and visitors can play an endless game of ‘trivial pursuit’ looking for signs of great historical or cultural moments, or just relax and day dream as the shadows slip round the ancient sun-dial.
The sunken garden to the east of the house has changed since Scott’s day, but still retains many elements he introduced. Old roses inhabit the space where the Vinery stood, but visitors can still peek into the tower to find where the seeds were hung to dry and fruit would have been stored.
Scott’s kitchen garden is the largest of the three spaces and today’s layout is very similar to the original, with a mix of flowering and scented plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables. The brick faced walls were heated from the flues of stoves, to help fruit ripen later in the year and hold off late frosts in the spring. The organic produce grown today, which is used in Ochiltree's Café, uses heritage varieties based on sources found in the archives.
Seasonal highlights include the Tulip Festival celebrations on Sunday May 5th, free garden tours throughout the summer months, plus snowdrops, tulips, rhododendrons, roses and peonies across the year, with the kitchen garden bursting with produce in late summer.
Website: www.scottsabbotsford.com
Telephone: 01896 752043
Opening times: Daily March – November, 10am – 5pm (4pm March & November)
Admission costs: Adult £5.60; Concession £5.10 (Over-60s, students with valid ID); Children (Under 17) £3.00; Children under 5 FREE. Family tickets available.
Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org
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