Spring Walks Amongst Snowdrops and a Visit to Lancelot “Capability” Brown’s Birthplace

Well, I am sorry to say that my attempt at growing winter vegetables has not produced enough edible greens for a decent meal (see blog https://mirandasnorthumberlandgarden.blogspot.com/2022/10/autumn-colours-and-trying-new-things-in.html).   Despite keeping the plants protected and undercover, growth has been slow and weakly, but at least our pet guinea-pigs have enjoyed the leafy greens.  Therefore, I have decided that to stick to growing only fruit as I seem to be quite successful at it.

February brought with it the flowering of spring bulbs and in our small wood the winter aconites, cyclamen and native snowdrops have been brightening up overcast days.

In the courtyard area whilst the roses are asleep my small snowdrop cultivar collection is looking pretty.

G elwesii Grumpy (bought for T as a birthday present)

G Sandersii (originates from Northumberland)

T and I had a lovely trip to nearby Belsay Hall and Gardens on Valentine’s Day.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the grounds looked lovely in the spring sunlight.  We explored the main house; the local stone used in its construction helps it sit comfortably in the surrounding landscape.

Inside the ravages of dry rot have meant that no furnishings remain and rooms are left either unplastered or with peeling wallpaper.  The house is now used for hosting art installations and events.

In this room, the alcove is not a built in wardrobe but a space for a bed; the alcove forming a small area where it would be slightly warmer than the rest of the room.

The quarry garden was created when the local sandstone was quarried out and used in the construction of the Greek-revival style Belsay Hall.  The quarrying was carried out in a deliberate route in order to form twists and turns and towering cliff faces.  Small trees, shrubs and vegetation cling to the vertical walls.  We noticed that since our last visit in 2020 a great deal of clearance has taken place. 

 The trunks of large rhododendrons form interesting shapes and colours.

Approaching Belsay Castle we found clumps of crocus, snowdrops and winter aconites.

 

Belsay Castle and adjoining medieval house (both roofless shells) bask in the spring sunlight. The local sandstone is a stunning contrast against the blue sky.

Inside the Castle, the great hall is lit via large windows where sunbeams create a cathedral-like atmosphere.

At the back of the quarry garden a footpath leads one back to the winter garden,  it is bordered by sandstone walls to the left and fir trees to the right, carpets of snowdrops line the route.

 

The winter garden has undergone major renovation work; fir trees have been thinned and a great deal of rhododendron ponticum removed.  Underneath the remaining trees the ground has been replenished with fresh compost then planted with groups of shrubs and perennials.  Groups of ferns, hamamelis and hellebores will now provide winter interest in this area.

Due to the extensive renovation works being carried out to some of the buildings at Belsay, the on-site café was closed and replaced by a travelling food cart.  For lunch, we decided to drive further north along the A696 to Kirkharle as it is home to an extremely good coffee house. 

The Kirkharle estate was the birthplace of Lancelot “Capability” Brown, and where he lived until he was 23.
 
In 1980, the estate’s owners came across plans drawn up by Brown for the landscape surrounding Kirkharle Hall.  The plans were most likely to have been drawn when Brown stayed at the Hall in 1760 but were not actually implemented.  In the mid-2000s the owners then decided to implement the plans so permissions and funding were gradually secured and in August 2009 excavation work began. 

The appearance of a serpentine lake was achieved by excavating two large bodies of water separated by a thin strip of land.  Large trees and saplings were then planted around the lake and in 2010 a 1km fully accessible path was installed.

The walk around the lake takes about ½  hour and is easy to do.  Whilst walking the circular walk one can see how the local landscape helped influence Brown’s particular style of landscape architecture -  the surrounding fields of grazing sheep, singular trees and the rolling hills far in the distance.
 
If you are in the area, I would recommend a trip to Kirkharle; the walk around the Lake is enjoyable as is lunch or coffee at the Courtyard coffee house.