Last week we visited the National Trust property Sizergh Castle Gardens. We just happened to be in the area with time to kill and so decided to pop there for lunch and a look around.
I had absolutely no idea how to pronounce the name but we were greeted at the entrance with a "Welcome to Sizergh" (Sizer) and so now I know - why did they add the gh?
The castle and part of the gardens are closed on Fridays and Saturdays which didn't really bother us as we weren't interested in looking round the castle. As for the off bounds bit of the gardens - we think we may have inadvertently strayed into one part. We weren't the only ones so I blame poor signage. It was only when we later consulted the plan that we realised that we may have trespassed. One advantage of this was that we got to watch the coot families on the lake!
It's Aesculus x Mutabalis 'Induta'.
As usual I took lots and lots of photos but will just share one or two (or three) here
If you want to see more photos I have added a photo album to my website page here. The video Martyn took is also on this page.
I do have to share one more photo though - just because of the effort taken trying to capture a shot.
This pond skater was a really challenging subject - they rarely keep still for long and I'd forgotten to switch my camera on to the burst setting - but to my surprise on viewing through the photos - I'd got one shot that wasn't just a patch of water recently vacated!
I had absolutely no idea how to pronounce the name but we were greeted at the entrance with a "Welcome to Sizergh" (Sizer) and so now I know - why did they add the gh?
The castle and part of the gardens are closed on Fridays and Saturdays which didn't really bother us as we weren't interested in looking round the castle. As for the off bounds bit of the gardens - we think we may have inadvertently strayed into one part. We weren't the only ones so I blame poor signage. It was only when we later consulted the plan that we realised that we may have trespassed. One advantage of this was that we got to watch the coot families on the lake!
Martyn took a video of one chick trying to dive - it's here if you want a peep.
Anyway back to the garden - one tree that particularly caught my eye was this unusual chestnut.
It's Aesculus x Mutabalis 'Induta'.
As usual I took lots and lots of photos but will just share one or two (or three) here
I do have to share one more photo though - just because of the effort taken trying to capture a shot.
Posts
That's a great photo of the pond skater. There's some gorgeous colours in the garden. We don't visit National Trust properties anymore as dogs aren't allowed in, not even in the gardens. I know we've said it before, but it's such a shame that irresponsible dog owners spoil it for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteIt's something I object to too, Jo. As Tivvy is only with us part time we can visit when she isn't with us but I do think it is discriminatory
DeleteBeen there. Done that. Got the T-shirt... Actually it was a long time ago, but your photos have reminded me of it. Thank you. Beautiful colour contrasts in the foliage. Those Acers are very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThe foliage does provide a beautiful colour palette, Mark
DeleteHello Sue! I've had no time to read blogs lately but am happy to have found time and visited your blog to see the Lovely Sizergh! I'm from that area and have love it round there. I've not visited the castle for a few years now so it's great to see your photos and the amazing pond skater picture!! There's a nice cafe/shop on the main road into Kendal near there called Sizergh Barn, it's really a really nice stop off. I didn't realise dogs weren't allowed at National Trust properties, having only just got a dog - Molly - I'm only just noticing these things. It is a shame. Lovely to be back at your blog :)
ReplyDeleteWe did pass that barn Anna. The NT policy on dogs is a bone of contention - pardon the pun! The occasional garden admits dogs with no problem so I don't know whether the others just perceive it to be a problem. One actually had a hook on a wall outside the garden saying park your dog here as if she was a piece of machinery!
DeleteSome great photos Sue, especially that pond skater...maybe you should have been a wildlife photographer!!
ReplyDeleteI'd have liked that, Tanya ;)
DeleteWhat a fantastic garden you have....how on earth do you keep the garden and allotment so pristine? I am jealous!!! I love the coots and the acer...and your stream is wonderful....you should open it to the public!xxxx
ReplyDeleteI wish, Snowbird :)
DeleteAhha! Just realized the garden was the one you were visiting....lol....when you said "back to the garden" my poor overtired brain got confused!!!!xxxx
ReplyDeleteNever mind it is Sunday, Snowbird!
DeleteLooks like an interesting place to visit. There were dozens of baby coots at the Vyne too. xx
ReplyDeleteMartyn took a video of a coot chick trying to dive, Debbie - it was so funny as it was too buoyant. I'll edit my blog and post the link
DeleteAs always some great photos, I've been there many years ago, but have to admit I didn't know how to pronounce it either so I learnt that.
ReplyDeleteThose Acers look fantastic, be nice to go back in the autumn too by the looks of it.
I bet you are right about autumn colour, Annie
DeleteWe start some of our Dallam Running Club runs from the nearby pub,and while I know how to pronounce Sizergh I always struggle to get the spelling right on our website.Across the main road is the similarly pronounceable Brettargh Holt?
ReplyDeleteI blame the Vikings.
So is it just a case of dropping of the gh in this one too.
DeleteHi Sue, this is an amazing property! I'm glad it is preserved. As so many have mentioned, the color contrasts with foliage is so striking. Gorgeous. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that the owners couldn't afford it Jenni and so donated it to the National Trust who will foot the bills for maintenance.
DeleteThis is the first time I see chestnut flower I think.
ReplyDeleteThis is a more decorative horse chestnut than is commonly seen, Diana. If you go here on my website there are photos of the more common kind, one white flower and one red. These are horse chestnuts not sweet chestnuts which are the sort that produces the chestnuts to eat.
DeleteWhat a lovely garden. The Acers by the stream look so pretty and that is a fabulous photo of the pondskater.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed the visit, Paula but we may not have bothered going if we had read some of the comments about it on one site. I think the comments were from some people who had been to a different place.
DeleteI saw a pair of coots this spring on a pond nearby and I didn't know what they were. I haven never seen such birds before, when I got home, I googled "a a black duck with a white head" (because I thought they were ducks) - and I found out that they were not ducks but coots!
ReplyDeleteThey are very common birds here, Dewberry
Delete