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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: EmmaLou on October 18, 2005, 20:49:16

Title: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: EmmaLou on October 18, 2005, 20:49:16
Hi guys!

Not sure if you have all done this before, but I was wondering if any of you would like to get together next year and visit one of the famous kitchen gardens? It would be lovely to meet as many of you in person and we can combine it with getting educated on growing veg!

Any suggestions on where the best place to go is would be appreciated! Let me know if you are interested and maybe if we get enough people together we can get a group discount. It might even be possible to arrange a guided tour.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Emma  :)
x

Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: flowerlady on October 18, 2005, 22:32:01
Hatfield House has a kitchen garden that is reputed to be fabulous.  Would love to see that.

Of course if we were in North Devon, Knightshayes has a walled kitchen garden just about to be been opened up. 
19th Century gothic!
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: karrot on October 18, 2005, 23:33:34
that sounds good, would have to bring two small children though im in south bucks
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: Derekthefox on October 19, 2005, 00:04:43
Although not specifically a kitchen garden Emmalou, a visit to Ryton Organic Gardens has already been provisionally arranged for Sunday 29th January, see 'how about' in the shed, currently page 5. I am beginning to wonder whether it being a potato day is a good day to visit, as it will be extremely busy that day ... however that is a matter for discussion ...

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: Gardenantics on October 19, 2005, 08:08:16
Audley End near Saffron Walden is a fantastic place, and is run by HDRA as an organic kitchen garden, plus it has a mini railway that children would enjoy,


Brian
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: moonbells on October 19, 2005, 08:10:16
Quote from: karrot on October 18, 2005, 23:33:34
that sounds good, would have to bring two small children though im in south bucks

Where? I'm in the Chilterns...

moonbells
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: Diana on October 19, 2005, 09:16:25
Maybe regional options would be better?
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: daisymay on October 19, 2005, 11:06:02
Sounds like a lovely idea.

regional may also be more realistic, but from the replies some of us are not too far apart. I am in Bedfordshire.

Is Hatfield House actually in Hatfield?!?
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: AndyC on October 19, 2005, 13:41:12
Daisy May

Yes Hatfield House is in Hatfield and it is the only nice part of what is one of the most God forsaken towns in the UK ;D

Didn't know they had a kitchen garden and I only live 10 minutes away so must give it a visit!

Andy
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: Emma K on October 19, 2005, 18:06:36
Hatfield House, Ryton or Audley End are all great suggestions - Can I go to them all? I'm in Cambridge so none are too many miles away. :D :D :D

Emma


www.losingtheplot.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: Derekthefox on October 19, 2005, 18:12:32
I am in the same position ekitteridge, since I live in Coventry. Hatfield house and Audley end are definitely within most of the home counties reach ...

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: karrot on October 19, 2005, 21:45:25
hi moonbells
im in chesham,been here about 5 years came from north wales
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: flowerlady on October 19, 2005, 23:54:22
A short quote about Harfield.

QuoteToday, the garden to the West of the house, which includes the Herb, Knot and Wilderness areas, can be seen when the house is open. However, all 42 acres, including the Kitchen Garden and the formal parteeres to the East of the house leading down to the lake, are open especially for garden enthusiasts on Mondays (except bank holidays).

www.hatfield-house.co.uk/gardens   should tell you more.

And for the not so small boys amongst us, there is one of the largest toy soldier collections to look at too ;D 
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: EmmaLou on October 20, 2005, 10:51:08
Quote from: Derekthefox on October 19, 2005, 00:04:43
a visit to Ryton Organic Gardens has already been provisionally arranged for Sunday 29th January

Looks very interesting! Probably a bit far for me. Will definitely put it on my list for places to visit in the future.

I quite fancy going to Hatfield House - I went there many years ago with the school so it would be very interesting to see how it has changed.

So lets say that is where we are organising to go on this thread.

Anyone interested in going let me know.

Being new to all this veg growing, what time of year do you think it will be best to visit? Then we can set a date and get things rolling.

Can't wait! Quite excited about it now!

Emma
x
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: daisymay on October 20, 2005, 10:57:45
Got my vote Emma. I had never heard of it before this thread.

Not sure which time of year we should go though - leave that to the experts!
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: EmmaLou on October 20, 2005, 11:15:45
Are you busy at work Gemma?  ;);D

I have posted on the Website Suggestions section, asking if we can have a specific section on this website to arrange visiting places. It would make it easier for everyone to browse and decide which visits to go on.
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: daisymay on October 20, 2005, 13:49:10
always - can't you tell!  ;D Unfortunately never doing anything I am meant to be doing.
;D

Todays entertainment is sorting out a skip to put the concrete in (having the garden paths dug up) and someone to take the asbestos roof away so we can demolish the old shed!

Good idea about the separate thread.
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: flowerlady on October 20, 2005, 17:39:24
Hi all,

Have done a bit of 'digging' it seems that Hatfield is at its best in June.  They have a Flower Festival 10th/11th.

Should there be a group interested, I could ask if we can organise group rates.

In the meantime Ryton sounds interesting (see in The Shed for the thread)
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: lorna on October 20, 2005, 19:38:26
Have wheels can travel ;D I am in March Cambs so Hatfield not too far, I think I could even find my way there or maybe borrow my sons SAT NAV (is that what it is called?)  or better still get him to chauffer me :) Going to look at other thread. Lorna.
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: EmmaLou on October 20, 2005, 22:12:14
Oh good plenty of people interested! ;D

Did some 'digging' myself: quote from Hatfield House Website - "Today, the garden to the West of the house, which includes the Herb, Knot and Wilderness areas, can be seen when the house is open. However, all 42 acres, including the Kitchen Garden and the formal parterres to the East of the house leading down to the lake, are open especially for garden enthusiasts on Thursdays (except during August)." (seems to be a different day to the one quoted by flowerlady - will have to double check it)  http://hatfield-house.co.uk/gardens.asp?s=4&v=1&p=4

As far as I can tell this means that we can only visit the Kitchen Garden on a Thursday.

Pre-booked admission for groups of 20 or more to the house, park and garden on Thursdays (except during August) it is £12 when there are no concessions. (it would mean not being able to bring children as they don't allow them in the house on Thursdays :( - not very good for some of us!)

Flowerlady - do you know if the Kitchen Garden is open to viewing during the Flower Festival?

I guess if we contacted the House they may allow us to arrange a group visit just to the Kitchen Garden.


Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: moonbells on October 20, 2005, 23:14:31
Quote from: karrot on October 19, 2005, 21:45:25
hi moonbells
im in chesham,been here about 5 years came from north wales

Another Cheshamite! Good heavens! You make four of us on A4A !

Cameron or Asheridge road??? 

moonbells


Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: flowerlady on October 20, 2005, 23:25:32
After a couple of emails to them today, they changed Mondays to Thursdays - that got them up to date!!   ;D

I was told that all is open at the Flower Festival, and to get the benefit of the group discount we do need to find 20.  Said I would get back to him when we knew a bit more.

I think the Flower Festival has a keener price, but as I don't particularly like the crowds, I'd be happy to pay a bit more just for the garden tour on a Thursday. 

However I appreciate that many would not be able to do a week day. 
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: EmmaLou on October 21, 2005, 20:47:33
Ok starting from here lets get a list of people interested in visiting Hatfield House for the Flower Festival on the 10th/11th of June.

Flowerlady if you are quite happy organising the tickets that would be great!

I can do either day. I will have 2 tickets booked and possibly a 3rd. Will have to come back to you with definite amount of tickets.
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: karrot on October 22, 2005, 23:39:32
hi moonbells
well well small world, im on cameron road, you?. who els is there?
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: daisymay on October 24, 2005, 12:20:30
OK with me, I can do either day as it is a weekend  :)

Just me at the moment, but will ask my mum or sister if they fancy it. OH would not come with me!
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: flowerlady on October 24, 2005, 18:50:52
Somewhere else we could go next year is the Chilli Festival at West Dean College (not too far from Chichester) :o :P 8)
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: AndyC on October 24, 2005, 20:20:35
I would probably be able to do both days; be great to meet some of you ;D
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: karrot on October 24, 2005, 22:11:10
yep me too ,and as its a weekend i can come without children, but then again i would want the company on the journey :-\
Title: Re: Kitchen Garden Visit
Post by: EmmaLou on May 07, 2006, 23:00:23
Hi everyone!

Just wondering if people are still interested in this visit? If so we need to get it all organised soon.

It would be great to finally meet each other!