Dewstow Gardens

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

I took a trip yesterday with a few members of my family to Dewstow Gardens in Monmouthshire. The gardens at Dewstow were created at the end of the 19th century, but were then filled in during the Second World War, given over to farming and food production to aid the war effort. A few years ago, the new owners started to diversify, setting up a golf course on their land - and in the process of the renovations discovered this incredible Victorian garden full of tunnels and underground grottoes, which they are working hard to restore.

To get into the north garden, you must first negotiate these stepping stones over the brook.


On the other side is the entrance to the first grotto.

Yep, that's ground level up there.

Follow the tunnels along, and you come out in what used to be a hothouse, partially restored to give an idea of what it must have looked like in its prime.


Swallows had nested at the base of one of the pillars at the far end.


Back into the tunnels. Again, that's ground level up there. Grotto beneath; garden above.


This is what the not-so-hothouse looks like from the outside.


The north garden - ground level.


South gardens - down into another grotto


Into the crocodile pit. Yeah, I have no idea why it's called that. There are no crocodiles. But it is a pit.


Even the old pumphouse is disguised as a grotto


The south gardens are full of all kinds of little nooks and crannies.


Soggy doggy - Ruby hasn't ever quite mastered the art of posing for the camera!


Since it was so wet, we decided not to stop in the village and wander around the Roman remains this time. If anyone's interested in seeing those Roman remains, the pictures I took last time can be found here. I think I took better pictures of the grottoes, as well - I should have just pointed everyone there rather than uploading more all over again. It was actually sunny that day! What a difference a year makes...

Comments

[cat63.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's wonderful! What an amazing garden and such lovely photos of it too.

I had no idea this place existed - thanks so much for posting about it!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

There are so many incredible little places tucked away here and there that hardly anyone ever finds - someone my Dad works with put us onto this place. It is really pretty!

[femsc.livejournal.com]

But... I know Caerwent! How did that garden slip by without me noticing? Thank you - when I get mobile again (no car at the moment) I'll be over there to have a look.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

It's alongside the golf course! Just outside the village proper. Easy to overlook, but also easy to find once you know it is there. :)

[jaelle-n-gilla.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a great place! I hope they'll restore it. Even better, not to it's original glory but something in between antique and still beautiful. Great pics!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

The gardens and grottoes are mostly restored now, I think, other than the hothouse which is probably beyond full restoration. There is definitely an air of antique charm about the place!

[sunray45.livejournal.com]

What an amazing find for the new owners. That is incredibly beautiful, just the kind of place I love with all those grottos, nooks and crannies. All so lovely and green too. I know, miserable for you with all the rain, but it must have helped that garden.

Thank you so much for showing them to us.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

The rain certainly does lend a lushness to the greenery!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

It's true - the greenery loves the rain! However, on the flip side, all the plants are really confused by the weather and don't seem to know what season is which any more.

[magenta-blue.livejournal.com]

This looks a great place to visit - duly noted! And the rain slicked pictures, the bursting vegetation - it seems a really nice time of year to see this in all its glory. I wonder where is Monmouthshire? *runs to google*. Ah, bit of a way west for me on a day trip. But I will definitely remember this place - many thanks for posting about it!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

'Rain slicked'...makes it sound so much more romantic than it was! Beautiful - but I got rather damp. *G*

[smirra.livejournal.com]

This is such an interesting place to visit. I love this community as there are lots of tips now what to visit in England. The grottos are incredible. Thank you for sharing the insight of this interesting place!

[mav-fan.livejournal.com]

These are amazing. What a magical place it seems, all the hidden nooks, crannies and grottoes. Thanks for sharing these (I'm way behind or would have seen these sooner). The puppy is adorable, our puppy is already accustomed to having his photo taken, poor thing, I'm constantly snapping photos of him.