Our visit to Meadow Cottage took place on a very hot day. We had a good turnout and were all parked in the field opposite. The cottage is situated in Christmas Common, an old village on top of the Chiltern Hills, near Watlington. The cottage is the oldest in the village. It is now a large rambling house surrounded by narrow borders with many climbing shrubs on the walls. We first had a brief intro from the owner, Zelda Kent-Lemon, who developed the garden from scratch over a number of years.
We then toured the garden. Walking through a wide gated arch in an imposing 15 foot tall beech hedge we found ourselves in a very large potting area entirely surrounded and roofed by beech. We then walked through another arch which took us our into the vegetable garden which had been professionally designed.
Skirting the tennis court, we came to a small meadow and peaceful wildlife pond. We then entered a very large lawned area with an extensive shrub and herbaceous border around the boundary and more borders surrounding the swimming pool.
Passing a pretty 17th century barn covered in climbing roses, we reached more lovely borders surrounded the house. Topiary at the front of the house included a cloud pruned shrub on the walls while the front of the house was covered with a huge wisteria with clematis threading through it.
Returning to the rear of the house we reached an impressive circular patio area with a central fountain which led through to the swimming pool. Pretty planting included alchemilla mollis and a large espaliered shrub on the house wall. In the conservatory area there was an amazing climbing jasmine with the most wonderful scent.
We then had a welcome cup of tea and cakes on the patio outside the old barn.
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