January 1, 2012 | 
sproutgarden
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill
Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB25 9EJ
Telephone: 01223 810080
This garden has been on the list for a while and as it’s near to the place my younger brother lives it one of those ‘we’ll do it next time we visit to save making an extra journey’ places.
The Gardens
The gardens are quite extensive but as with many NT gardens much of the area is managed park land. The map leaflet advises us of some seasonal interest in these areas such as the summer wildflower meadow and spring bulbs but in Winter there is little to see in these areas but still a pleasant walk but expensive if you are not a NT member. There is a designated Wildlife area that covers 25 acres and boasts an Insect hotel, wildlife watch hut and a storytelling area. We didn’t actually venture into that are of the gardens as we were conscious of the impending rain.
As you would expect the gardens nearer to the house are more structured but again we were out of season to see them in all their glory but it was clear that come the Spring and Summer these areas are going to look great. There is a Dhalia garden, Rose Garden and a Formal Garden which looks like it is to be planted in Spring & Summer with colourful annuals. I think we must make another trip in the Spring and see the changes.
The Winter Garden This is what we really went for.
Winter Gardens are now becoming common place in public gardens as they are a obvious draw for some extra trade at a slow time of year. If you have read my list of plants for winter interest you know that there are lots of plants that give some colour through the cold winter months and at Angelsey they claim to have 150 species in the winter garden.
I believe the Winter Garden as Angelsey Abbey is a fairly new addition and although it has many of the familiar plants I have seen in winter gardens I think its been planted in a really nice way that makes it a bit different from others.
Planting at different levels
The winter garden itself is a winding path so that when you turn a corner you get another view come into site. As with every winter garden there are plenty of bright red and yellow cornus stems punctuated with the white stems of Rubus but what for me makes this garden a little bit different to other winter gardens is way they have bought in colour at varying heights by including more trees such as the winter flowering Prunus and some very tall Viburnum then coming down in height to Hamemellis which were just coming into flower.
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- Planting at different levels
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- Magnificent Silver Birch Trees
Other winter flowering species included bright yellow Mahonia, lovely scented Chimonathus and Sarcococca and at ground level Ophiopogon and Snowsrops. We walked the winter garden path from North to South having visited Lode Mill first but I would suggest walking from the South towards the Mill because as you turn the the last corner you are met with this spectacular view of massed Silver Birch which is stunning
Magnificent Silver Birch Trees
Summary
Definetly worth visiting and I would return in spring or summer to see the gardens around the house in full colour. If you are not a National Trust member then its £6.25 adult entrance which I think is quite a lot when really its only the Winter Garden and Mill as the rest of the garden has been striped back of next season or is nothing more than a pleasant area to walk which could be done for free in any rural area.
For more information about the gardens, house and Lode Mill
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