Summer Evening Visit to Adwell House

In July we had our annual garden visit to Adwell House near Thame. It was a very good turnout by members, helped by the fine hot weather this summer.  While we enjoyed tea, refreshing lime juice and cakes on the terrace the owner gave us an introduction to the house and its estate where his family has lived for generations.

The head gardener, Colin Roberts, then took us on a tour of the gardens starting with the long herbaceous border fronting the house. We then visited St Mary’s church which was originally Norman but rebuilt to provide a very scenic backdrop.

Next stop was a hidden walled garden with formal planting within circles and squares of box hedging divided into quadrants with planting in each section. Trellis and arches with climbing roses and clematis surrounded the formal garden with pretty pathways between the borders leading into another walled formal garden with an impressive pond and fountain.

We then found ourselves in a large woodland area with a wide stream flowing through it. The evening sunlight coming through the trees created an idyllic scene and the shade of the trees was very welcome on such a warm evening. The stream had many pretty bridges and its edges were heavily planted with hostas, primulas, and other woodland planting. The stream culminated in a pretty waterfall leading to some natural lakes which are available for fly fishing. After a lovely stroll around the lakes, admiring a pair of swans with their signets, we returned the way we had come.

The gardens and grounds of Adwell House provided a great variety of habitats and the perfect venue for our outing on a very hot summer’s day.