Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard

Browsing through my photos from Yorkshire I couldn't get past the blueness of the skies on the day we visited Castle Howard, which was one of the places that went straight onto my "to visit" list, and I wasn't disappointed.   Today I'm sharing blue-skied pictures of the Temple of the Four Winds, which is at the eastern edge of the estate, at the end of the appropriately named Temple Terrace - I wonder which came first, the temple or the terrace?!

It had great symmetrical shape (apart from the statues) and great stonework too.  As we walked around the outside of the temple (sadly you can't go inside) I noticed the stonework had great attention to detail too.

The temple was originally used as a "place for refreshment and reading" so quite a grand place to take tea or read a book, but one that you can imagine would be quite inspiring.  There is apparently a cellar underneath the temple which the servants could prepare food for the family upstairs. 

Sounds a grand life, doesn't it - unless you were below stairs I'm sure.  

What amazes me about these places is the grandeur which is often at the edge of the estate and seemingly goes nowhere, just like the grand set of stairs in the photo above, which have been carefully fenced off.

The stonework too is always something that catches my eye with its lichen patterns and growths. I've several very similar photos and could have quite happily taken more until I was chivvied along by MOH, who it seems can't take as much lichen as me.

But just be pleased I'm only sharing two of the photos here, there could be many more, you're welcome!

I've much more to share from Castle Howard, including the walled garden which, well apart from being a favourite kind of garden, was my favourite space from our visit. There's also a spot of Brideshead Revisited to look forward to too, and between you and me, that might just have been my inspiration for visiting, not that I think I ever watched the programme avidly when it was on in 1981  (yes 1981!)

I need to go and lie down now, that's a super long time ago!

Across the Board at Gardeners' World Live

It's been a little while since I shared a post from our visit to Gardeners' World Live so what better to share today, than this garden designed and created by Conquest Creative Spaces.  It's one of those spaces that while it looked great, it also looked realistic and one I'd be happy to have.

There were a couple of elements that, apart from its 'realness' appealed to me, which were:

• Corten steel planters, looking at these again while writing this post, I'm thinking it's a good thing that my recent order for new pots has turned into such a debacle, but more on that another day,
• A chunky oak pergola that would provide some respite from this summer's heat, and protection from a more usual summer!

And that's even without mentioning the gabion design elements - I tell you, they really are the thing to have, you'll start to see them more and more in gardens, domestic and otherwise and they're no longer just for the sides of motorways.

I think one of the things that gives this garden its everyday feel is the meadow planting, which might at first glance be misconstrued for weeds, or it would it my garden anyway.  But it's nature, and natural, which is always my argument too.

It also shows that you can build a swing seat into a small space and do it stylishly so.  I think this swing is more likely aimed at the gentle movement, rather than the climb as high as you can that I remember from my youth - that was quite the challenge wasn't it?  I'm sure mums everywhere would peek through their hands just hoping momentum would keep us on the seats.

But yes, the Corten steel planters, aren't they just great?

Even MOH is a fan, and this is the man that likes things clean and pristine.  But their beauty really is their markings and age, and I can't help but sigh every time I think about how I could manoeuvre some into our garden.  I haven't worked out how yet, but I'm not prepared to give up just yet. 

I'm also a fan of planting between hard landscape and while that's more usually around paving slabs and bricks, this bolder and more modern take with what looks to be Mind your own business (the green plant) and what could be a fragrant herb - camomile? - shows how traditional ideas can be adapted and given a new lease of life.

Now wouldn't it be good to have a wooden box like this to shelter from either the sun, rain or chill in?  This one is complete with a fire pit and the log store seats look pretty and have a practical use too.  I'm definitely banking this idea for a future garden, it won't work in our garden of circles, but some day I'll have to find a garden that it will.

The other thing that makes this garden work for me is the mix of textures, not something you think of in gardens generally, and you'll remember that I've mentioned it for interiors on more than one occasion, so it sort of makes sense that a garden with textures also works, doesn't it? 

So, what do you think - is this a garden for you, or are there elements that have inspired you?

Views of Yorkshire

One of the things that struck me about Yorkshire on our recent trip was the amazing views, and how it was a place that like Norfolk benefitted from large skies.  It was our first time holidaying in Yokshire, but I don’t think it’ll be our last, especially as our journey from London was relatively pain free. 

The Yorkshire Dales National Park was stunning, so much so that at one point I stopped the car, got out and enjoyed it firsthand, without the windscreen in front of me.  The undulating scenery, the traditional dry stone walls and really fresh, unadulterated (and un-pollute) air. 

While it’s large-skied like Norfolk, it’s very different.  There’s proper hills for one thing, and not just in the National Parks. The next two photos are ones MOH took as he paused during his daily bike ride.

But with hills come great views.  And the patchwork effect of fields.

Our trip wasn’t all about reconnecting with nature, although there were many garden visits, there were trips to the nearest town of Ripon too. Our cottage - or rather converted barn - was outside the village of Kirkby Malzeard and though it was a well stocked village, complete with local shops, pubs and a fish and chip shop, the barn and the farm it was on were remote enough to be cut off in bad weather, although I’m sure that doesn’t deter the Yorkshire folk, but to a townie like me, well yes… <shudder>

We’d chosen the area around Ripon quite at random, and because it was a good base to explore our -or rather my - must see places of RHS Harlow Carr and Castle Howard, but Ripon itself shouldn’t be overlooked. It has some interesting architecture. 

The stone arches on the building above immediately caught my eye, and then I noticed the detail of the arches above the windows on the upper floors.  That’s some fancy building, hey?

It wasn’t all about looking up though, as we wandered around I spotted these elaborate tiles in a shop doorway, which I can only presume are originals. The motif at the top reminds me of the pattern on a fireplace in my previous house.  

It was easy to imagine the market square transforming itself into a bustling hub on market day, even on the Sunday when these photos were taken there was plenty of activity, and it’s certainly an attractive town centre isn’t it?

I’ve much more to share from our Yorkshire Break, including a peak around the barn we stayed in as well as some fine Yorkshire products, and of course some garden visits. 

As I said earlier in this post, it’s a place that I’m sure we’ll return to in the future. I’d be keen to see more of Harrogate, but where would you recommend, and why?