It’s been five years since my last visit to Gordon Castle. Quite a lot has changed since then. In 2014 the garden had only recently been designed by Arne Maynard.
The basic layout was in place with paths and borders outlined and most of the central vegetable beds were fully stocked and ready for harvest. Some of the earthworks were in place but hadn’t been grassed over. For such a huge garden it looked like there was still an enormous amount to do.
Clearly the gardeners have been busy.
The garden is huge, 200m x 200m, and must have required a an enormous number of staff to keep it going in its heyday. Following the second world war the lack of manpower meant the garden had to be turned over to less intensive agriculture and in the 1950s it was mostly used for growing raspberries commercially.
A restoration programme was begun in 2013 and now the garden employs some 65 people. Clearly some features such as the pear tunnels and grassy mounds will take some time to mature, but the fruit and vegetables and cutting garden areas are thriving.
Even in October there was still lot to see. Although all the fruit from the 249 veteran espaliered fruit trees had been picked some of it was for sale.
The garden supplies produce to the cafe. As garden cafes go this one is excellent and a visit to the cafe gives you a discount for entry to the garden.
A visit to a good garden late in the year gives you a good idea of what will do well locally. The walls here create something of a mini micro-climate allowing a longer than expected growing season. Although in London Dahlias, Gaura and Anthemis might still be in flower this late, Ammi visnaga probably isn’t.
The garden is open all year, pretty much everyday. The cafe is worth a visit on its own, it has not one but two log burners. I imagine they’re both needed in winter. The castle itself is not open to visitors.
If you’re the hunting, shooting, fishing type there’s lots for you here.
Gordon Castle Walled Garden https://www.gordoncastle.co.uk/garden/