Back in February 2020 when celebrating seven years of my blog I set myself the challenge of visiting seven gardens that year. At the time Coronavirus was something that was happening in the world, but none of us quite knew how it would go, or how long it would go on for, so there was no indication that my garden visit challenge would, well, be challenged. But as we know, quite a lot changed and pretty quickly.
We did get to visit some of the gardens on the list in 2020, both before and as the restrictions eased, but we postponed our Lake District holiday for a year and so my Visit Seven was also delayed.
We had that Lake District holiday last summer - and it was great - so I thought I’d take a look to see how I got on with my Visit Seven challenge, and I realised that I’d been pretty poor in editing my photos, and discovered - and relived - our visit to Holker Hall this past few evenings.
There were some changes along the way too as we didn’t get to Yorkshire - that will hopefully be in our plans for this year. Our Yorkshire trip was for a wedding which is now expected to take place this year, but the holiday we’re hoping to tag on will be different so it may be a while before I can tick that one off my list. Like the bride and groom I’m hoping the wedding will go ahead - third time lucky as they are both saying.
Taking a look back at my Visit Seven for 2020
The dates shown are the dates of my post, not the date of the garden visit.
1. RHS Wisley, Surrey
The Giant Houseplant Takeover
Enter through the hallway, February 2020
Chess in the living room, March 2020
A bed of dreams, March 2020
Kitchen houseplants with bite, March 2020
Dining room delights, March 2020
A shower over the tub, March 2020
Flaming Dogwoods in the sun, February 2020
Love this #91 A Cardboard 'vase', February 2020
Topiary at RHS Wisley, March 2020
Wisteria at Wisley, May 2021
2. RHS Hyde Hall, Essex
Succulents at RHS Hyde Hall, June 2020
The Rose Walk at RHS Hyde Hall, July 2020
Sunshine and Rain, August 2020
3. Houghton Hall, Norfolk
Calm and swirls in the Mediterranean garden, January 2021
Love this #92 Shell Art, February 2021
4. Nymans, West Sussex
Nymans in the fog, January 2020
My new room crush, January 2020
The ruins at Nymans and a peek inside the house, February 2020
5. Sizergh, Cumbria
Views of Sizergh Castle, June 2021
6. Holker Hall and Gardens, Cumbria
Discovering stunning plants at Holker Hall, January 2022
X 7. Scampston Hall, North Yorkshire
I’m keeping this one on my list, we may make it there but it’s likely that we won’t. If we don’t then at some point I think there’ll be another trip to be planned.
So, slow and steady wins the race right?
That’s my mantra for this challenge clearly! I recommend all of these gardens, so if you’re close to any of them do try and get along and see for yourself. Let me know how you get on.