Although we've been National Trust members for a few years now we had never visited our closest National Trust property - West Green House Gardens - until today. Our good friends Tony and Pauline suggested a visit - and we wished we'd visited sooner.
The house isn't open to the public but the gardens are absolutely beautiful and well worth the visit, especially at this time of year to see the daffodils, tulips and apple blossom. It's a real hidden gem, just perfect for spending an hour or so strolling the grounds. The surprises range from a chinoiserie chicken pavilion to a restored 18th century walled garden with a striking moongate. This is the gateway to a staircase framed by rills which rises to an unusual folly - the Nymphaeum - designed by neoclassical architect Quinlan Terry. A Persian-style water garden provides a change of mood.
West Green House is an 18th century country house built by General Henry Hawley who as a strict disciplinarian went under the sobriquet 'Hangman Hawley'. The house is listed Grade II and is known for its gardens and for its summer season of opera. The National Trust owned the house from 1971, after being left the property by Victor Sassoon in 1957. Alistair McAlpine then acquired the lease in 1976 and restored the gardens and monuments. In 1990 the House was damaged by an IRA bomb attack.
Marylyn Abbott - who was formerly marketing and tourism manager of the Sydney Opera House - bought the lease from the National Trust in 1993 and has instituted an opera season which is held annually in July and August. She has also extensively remodelled the gardens at West Green House.
As we were leaving we spotted the greenhouses and decided to have a look in - they're actually used as an event space as well as greenhouses and would be a truly magical place to have a gathering or function.
Such an enjoyable visit with Tony and Pauline and stopping for bubbles and cake in the picnic area was just perfect, if a little chilly!
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