Best Unusual Gardens In Herefordshire? Ralph Court Gardens Takes Some Beating!

Written by Jan Rosser in Places on 25 Jun 2018 | Views: 208

Best Unusual Gardens In Herefordshire? Ralph Court Gardens Takes Some Beating!

On Wednesday July 5th 2017, a sunny day dawned and my neighbour Chris and I decided to get away for a few hours. Where to go in Herefordshire that we hadn't been to before?

I picked up a leaflet at Hereford Railway Station a few weeks ago which looked interesting and 'somewhere different.' It was going to be a hot sunny July day and at 9.30 we set off for Edwyn Ralph, a few miles on the Tenbury Wells road out of Bromyard.

Let me give you a bit of history about Ralph Court. The house was built in 1850 for Reverend Arthur Lucton Childe. Designed by architect Abraham Perkins from Worcester, it cost £1370. The present owners Stephen and Paula Morgan bought the property in 2004. Both Stephen and Paula are keen gardeners and Stephen had trained in horticulture and Stephen worked on a number of gold medal winners at the Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows. 

The entrance beautifully decorated

We arrived at Ralph Court Gardens just after 10am and certainly did not expect to be greeted with so many awesome sights! This is no 'ordinary' garden centre, this is 12 amazing gardens set in the grounds of a gothic rectory and water features add music and movement to enhance the visitors delights.

The courtyard near the entrance

It costs £8 per adult, £5 per child aged 3 - 16, under 3's go FREE and a family ticket is £25. (two adults and up to three children) and is open Wednesday through til Sunday from 10am -5pm. The gardens are however opened on Bank Holiday Mondays. 

Stephen welcomed us and advised that we turn left from the restaurant and follow the paths which would take us to all the different gardens, ending up back at the restaurant where we aimed to have lunch.So off we went and had great fun looking at the various statues of animals, reptiles, dinosaurs, fairies and much more. Plus the 'live' chickens, a turkey, a peacock, ducks and fish and more. Water cascades and lily ponds are also there, plus much more. I hope you enjoy looking at some of the photos that were taken.

An unusual pine shrub, almost looks like a weeping willow

Part of the Alice in Wonderland garden

A mischievous Elf in The Elves garden

  

Chris in front of The Mad Hatters Tea Party feature

A snake in the smoking pool of Medusa temple

One of the cascade pools in the Africa garden

An elf contemplating!

The musical fountain in the Italian garden

Some ducks cooling off in the grounds

Jack in the Green shoots water at you if you get too close!

  

Me in front of Triton with waves lapping behind 

Fairies in The Elves garden

Chris near the Dragon Pool

 

Time for a sit down in Alice in Wonderland garden!

A theatre that holds up to 40 people can also be visited within the grounds and the restaurant serves meals and snacks from 10am - 5pm.

Ralph Court Gardens is well worth a visit and with the present heatwave and the summer holidays fast approaching, an enjoyable day out for the family is ensured. Why not see for yourself? Chris and I will be planning a return visit for sure!

Support Reviewspot by browsing the products below

Tags

Like this post? Share it with your friends

Related Articles

Reviewing A Dinner Party Menu From 1938!

Reviewing A Dinner Party Menu From 1938!

I have been sorting through some papers this week and came across a menu from an 80th retirement dinner that my late father attended in 1938. 

By Jan Rosser | 11 Aug 2018

A Review Of My Lovely Garden!

A Review Of My Lovely Garden!

As a writer, I’ve self-published two novels A Suitable Young Man and Bittersweet Flight (links to images below), a collection of short stories Entertaining Angels and am currently editing book three. 

By Anne Harvey | 21 Oct 2018

Rowlestone Court - A Great Place To Visit In The Welsh Black Mountains

Rowlestone Court - A Great Place To Visit In The Welsh Black Mountains

If you live in or near to the Welsh Black Mountains and are looking for an unusual day out in beautiful countryside, do go and visit Rowlestone!

By Jan Rosser | 30 Jul 2018

My Interview With Paul Metcalfe - Some Guys Have All The Luck!

My Interview With Paul Metcalfe - Some Guys Have All The Luck!

Paul Metcalfe is currently on tour performing 'Some Guys Have All The Luck' as Rod Stewart with his band. 

By Jan Rosser | 06 Oct 2018

Nursery Life In The 60's - Lego, Beswick Farm Animals, Matchbox Cars, Barbie Dolls, Enid Blyton And Ladybird Picture Books!

Nursery Life In The 60's - Lego, Beswick Farm Animals, Matchbox Cars, Barbie Dolls, Enid Blyton And Ladybird Picture Books!

My late mother, Mary Laughton 10.4.1922 - 1.9.2014  dictated this article to me a few years before she passed away. Delph Joyce has also passed away in 2018 aged 104

By Jan Rosser | 25 Aug 2018

Test Driving Best New Mini Clubman Since 1969 - Read My Evaluation!

Test Driving Best New Mini Clubman Since 1969 - Read My Evaluation!

The word 'mini' conjours up many things, miniskirt, minimalist, minicabs, minibus, etc etc and today Mini Clubman!

By Jan Rosser | 27 Apr 2018

CLARITY -An all natural voice spray

Clarity Voice Spray

Available in great tasting Elderberry or Honey and Lemon flavours.

Directions for use:

Shake before use. Spray into mouth. Use as often as required... Suitable for vegetarian use.

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerine, Aloe Vera, Flavour of choice (Elderberry Juice or Honey* Lemon juice)

Rose Cider Vinegar* and natural flavours* (extracts of liquorice, ginger, sage, thyme, rosehip, elderflower)

*organic ingredients used.

Made in the UK.

Give your voice clarity

Available to buy from Amazon in flavours Elderberry and Honey and Lemon

successfulsinging.com

Our goal is to provide our singing community with quality products and resources to help get the most from their singing.

Over 215 FREE videos too, including singing lessons, scales, breathing exercises etc.

Subscribe below

 

Three uplifting and spellbinding escapist historical romances.

Available on Kindle to buy from Amazon

Quizspot, a world of quizzes at your fingertips!

Why not test your knowledge and have

some fun at the same time?

Click here to go to website.

Creative Writing Student Handbook - Margaret James

Amazon review: a wonderful book, full of practical, useful tips.

If you're thinking about doing some creative writing this winter,

our 5* handbook will inspire you and give you confidence.

Available to buy from Amazon

The Final Reckoning

The Final Reckoning is an atmospheric, twisty thriller set in the peaceful (or maybe not so peaceful) Herefordshire countryside.

When Lindsay Ellis was a teenager,  he stumbled across the dead body of her boyfriend Simon’s father, who had been battered to death.

Someone in the village knows who murdered Simon's father, and why.

Does the actual killer suspect Lindsay also knows the identity of the murderer, and is Lindsay now in great danger, too?

Available to buy from Amazon