Garden Descriptions

Gardener's Cottage - No 5 School Lane

A long established garden didn't survive our remodelling of the old cottage, so a new garden was borne 10 years ago. It is an eclectic mix of everything we love, mostly raised from seed in the greenhouse, and includes more than our fair share of roses. Neither immaculate or even neat, it is a haphazard reflection of our higgledy-life and is our absolute haven. On the left is a small white garden in which, given our haphazard approach, bright orange giant poppies appear in the spring.

Beech Cottage No 3 School Lane

Beech Cottage was built in the 18th century and named after the 200-year-old Copper Beech situated at the entrance of the drive. Its partially walled, secluded cottage garden is overlooked by All Saints' Church and contains some surprising features with lots of colour and interest.

The School House, School Lane

The School House was Loughton's original village school between 1865 and 1915. Its gardens are an interesting mix of shrubs and herbaceous plants in upper and lower areas that were originally part of a much larger design (see The Pool House description below).

The Pool House, School Lane (including plant stall)

We moved to this lovely home with our 3 children in May 2012. We inherited a mature garden designed by June and George Button, who built the large pond and gazebo and planted many of the beautiful trees and shrubs you will see as you wander around. Our latest developments are two ponds intended for fish and wildlife, so do take care of the new grass planting. Keep an eye out for foxes, herons, moorhens and many species of birds.

Manor Cottage, Leys Road (including specialist exhibits)

Approximately 400 years old, Manor Cottage is a Grade 2 listed building that has recently been extended, which required part of the garden to be replanned and replanted. The garden comprises extensive lawns and flower beds, which consist of old English country flowers such as lupins, fox gloves, iris and daisies. It has many mature fruit trees, magnolias, willows along the brook and an ancient poplar tree. There is also a paddock where chickens are kept.

No 10, Lucy Lane

A backdrop of Parks Trust trees partially shades a shaped bordered sweep of lawn which is home to our New Zealand goat sculpture, whilst the Moroccan water feature trickles out beneath bamboo and ferns. Shingle pathways flank the sides of the house and faded marble stone paving provides two seating areas to view the garden at different angles.

No 3 All Saints View

A medium-sized garden wrapped around a modern detached house, featuring formal hard landscaping and mixed borders that include mature shrubs, small trees and many roses. There is also a fishpond fed by a rill, a rockery, an idiosyncratic garden house and a vegetable garden of raised beds.

Church Farm (c. 1600) - Church Lane

The garden at Church Farm adjoins All Saints' Church, Loughton, towards the top of Church Lane, a traditional English sunken lane. The garden is entered through an iron gate between brick pillars. There are raised beds to one side filled with a variety of ornamental shrubs. Lawn fills the centre of the garden either side of the path. A large, aged pear tree is all that remains of an old fruit orchard. A wisteria is being encouraged across the face of the old farmhouse. The ancient tower of All Saints' Church rises over the garden.

Disclaimer - Although the owners of the gardens/studios have exercised reasonable care in preparing their premises for your visit and enjoyment, neither they, nor their insurers, accept any liability for your presence on the property. For your own safety and that of others, please take care when visiting. Look out for changes of level, steps, overhanging branches and snagging by thorny plants. Please keep to the marked routes and let others pass safely if you are stationary. Please do not try to enter any locked or fenced off areas. Keep children under your control and do not let them pick any plants, flowers or fruit/berries etc from the plants. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens.