The Lake site Old Park is the two-acre lake and walled garden complex of “Old Park”, part of the original designed landscape of a significant marine residence in the “Undercliff” of the Isle of Wight.
The Undercliff is a magnificent natural landform of dramatic cliffs created by a massive prehistoric landslip, which produced a protected pocket of virtually frost-free microclimate where sub-tropical plants flourish within sight of the sea.
Before
Early last century this important designed landscape was split from its mansion house, and became overgrown and derelict, the lake silted up and the original features were lost to decay. The walled garden at some stage had been a tropical bird park and numerous cages and breeding houses had fallen into rack and ruin.
Then, two years ago, along came landscape designer Phillippa Lambert, who immediately fell in love with this miniature "lost garden of Heligan", abandoned all, and set about restoring the Lake and Gardens to their former glory.
During
Phillippa has carefully reinstated the early Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden, complete with in-period beautiful “Alitex” greenhouse, cold frames, potting shed, and access paths.
In April last year Phillippa approached Agriframes and asked us to manufacture the Centrepiece for the walled garden, which we were very happy to do, and which we installed in the November. This year it was planted with runner-beans to give it some instant covering, and the effect was so good we have featured it on the cover of next years brochure available in January.
From then on, we have worked with Phillippa and asked her to help in developing and trialling a lot of our new and existing products.
After
The walled garden in only its first year is simply breathtaking. From the moment you enter, you lose yourself in a magical experience of the senses, the colours, scents, and diversity of planting are almost too much to take in, the world outside no longer matters !
Trained fruit compliments the re-pointed stone walls , and the varieties of produce have been chosen to reflect not only the era of the garden, but also its favoured location. Many of the Agriframes Kitchen Garden products have been featured in the garden with great success, as can be seen in some of the pictures, and we at Agriframes look forward to a long relationship working with Phillippa and her husband Steve in the future.
