Capel Manor

On Thursday I spent the afternoon at Capel Manor Gardens, 30 acres of themed gardens in Enfield. It was a lovely sunny Autumn day. Not many visitors but a few students as it's a college of horticulture, the college owns and runs the gardens. Angie, the friend I went with, has completed two courses at Capel. So a good person to show me round and name some of those unusual and lesser known plants. The official guide says "30 acres of richly planted and beautiful themed gardens, to inspire and indulge the senses. All surrounding a Georgian Manor House and Victorian Stables. Visitors can explore the Japanese Garden, Italianate Maze, Historic Gardens, Gardening Which?, Trial Gardens, Woodland Walk, together with the popular Sunflower Street - seven front and back gardens designed by former students, plus Kim Wildes´s Jungle Gym Garden. There is also a programme of shows and events throughout the year and visitor centre with garden gift shop and occasional plant sales." There is also a small petting zoo with pigs, goats, sheep, horses, ducks and chickens. Lots of things to photograph in the Autumn sunshine. I particularly liked a water feature, but it was dry. The structure was round, smooth stones were laid in a spiral pattern. Small circles interspersed the large spiral imitating eddies and small whirlpools, creating the impression of water. There should have been water flowing through the feature but it worked just as well with out it. I have put this on my list of "Garden features I want to recreate" along with the Gaudi mosaic seating from the park Guell in Barcelona! If only there were more hours in the day. If you want to find out more about opening times and admission prices go here