dalemain in june...

Dalemain's setting is superb- Not far from Ullswater, the soft pink stone house lies in rolling parkland where deer graze peacefully. Entering the garden though the old courtyard is like stepping back in time to experience the pleasures of a less frantic, frenetic or over finished past....

The delicate old fashioned flowers of chinese blush roses set the scene as you pass in front of the house and take in the long, high terrace backed by the finest, deepest and oldest of herbaceous borders. Variegated comfrey, silvery cardoons and and vast, billowing clouds of tiny white crambe flowers tie it all together. It is topped off at the end by the magnificent presence of the largest Silver Fir in the British Isles!

Moving on, over 200 different varieties of sweet scented old shrub roses line the walk up through the garden, giving off a gorgeous, heady aroma.

Rest a while in the 18th century summerhouse to take in this idyllic scene, then walk on through Lob's wild wood to stunning views over the Dacre Beck and beyond.

Return via sloping lawns, lined with the most beautiful borders to a series of sandstone steps, leading down and out to the Low Garden- a wilder area of semi-tamed woodland, home to the most stunning, flowing river of Himalayan Blue Poppy I have ever seen! A shady stream-side walk winds round and back, though not before an exciting encounter with an amazing clipped box creation- a fantastical green dragon fully fifty yards long!

Dalemain is one of Lakeland's most charming gardens, and you'll find when the old roses are in full bloom is unbeatable!