Standing proudly in front of the Queen Anne manor house, Skipwith Hall, an ancient mulberry tree marks the commencement of a journey through four acres of meticulously maintained gardens, enclosed by historical walls from the year 1700. These gardens boast extensive mixed borders and feature several distinct areas including the notable Richard’s Garden, a creation inspired by Cecil Pinsent, a distinguished designer of several acclaimed gardens in Italy during the interbellum period.
The estate’s working kitchen garden, elegantly redesigned in 2005, is arranged around a captivating circular pool. This area is a labyrinth of aromatic herbs, vegetables, cut flower borders, and pleached crab apples, creating a verdant spectacle. A majestic Victorian greenhouse occupies a prime position against the south-facing wall. Separating the kitchen garden from the orchard is a magnificent double beech hedge, leading to a network of grass paths woven through the orchard, where meticulously trained fruit adorns the walls. A discreet door in the far corner of the garden opens to the Italian garden, an area currently being revived and restored to its former glory.
This year, the summer house situated in the woodland’s corner has been artistically transformed into a shell house by the local artist Linda Fenwick. Additionally, the mini arboretum, initiated by the current owner’s father in the 1980s, houses a collection of specimen trees including Acer, Davidia, Halesia, Cornus, and Hamamelis, further enriching the diverse botanical experience offered by Skipwith Hall.
