Beautiful Yorkshire: Ripon and Stillingfleet Nurseries

Nearly as many years as I longed for visiting Ireland, I dreamed of visiting York.
We had our cottage near Harrogate and from there went across the different destinations we both had on our wishlist. York was the very MUST SEE on it. But before doing so, there was the very last opportunity on 24th September to visit STILLINGFLEET LODGE Nurseries.

On our way to Stillingfleet, we passed the market town of Ripon and visited its beautiful cathedral.

on our way to the cathedral

translates: either never attempt or accomplish, i.e.: try not, do!

there was so much to take in

inside the cathedral, it was breathtakingly stunning

There was so much to see and to discover. At one point I lost EG who went down some dark steps behind these doors and got locked.... Luckily, somebody from the cathedral heard him banging and he got out. One must always have an eye on this man!

This is what greats you first when you are on the entrance of Stillingfleet Nurseries

Very helpful to have these explanations which change with the seasons

the very promising entrance to the show garden

the garden cat 

this is the enticing entrance to the new tea room - we looked forward to it for afterwards

welcomed by doves

cute WC

geraniums - one of my preferred perennials

loved the clematis!

The weather was great and it was easy to take good pictures. Every detail in this garden was charming, the respect for nature so evident. The way how naturally everything lives in harmony side-by-side, just our cup of tea!

the family home

all these details reflect the love for nature

suddenly appears a modern garden room 

clematis in a beech hedge

fowls in the neighbour's field

not only foliage but also tree's barks were put in evidence

another garden room to explore

this controlled wilderness is exactly what we aim for at home in the bayous

bees, of course

the beehives 

The further we explored, the more I wished we could visit this garden at all the seasons but its autumnal dress was certainly a very nice taster.

great plan of the lay-out and very helpful

I loved also the neighbour's cottage!

insect hotel, just simply with reclaimed materials

 Then came the section with all the little helpers:

even the baby chicks were allowed to roam freely

the compost heap

autumn bliss: asters

a hint of autumn but it was still very much of  summer in the air

every corner had something clever to offer

we could take so much inspiration back home

I love how clever 'the Avenue' has been realized with the square under planting and the low and high mowed grass and the borders in the background

grasses, also a great item in the autumn garden

isn't this lovely?

loved the sempervivum in the groves

all clean!!!

dreaming of steps like that

the lady who invites guests to sit next to her

lovely tea, coffee and cake was had afterwards

the new tea room offers beautiful looks outside and plenty of information about plants, magazines, books - one could stay some more hours to enjoy 

here also, you feel the love for detail and natural beauty

the last photo is of the remarkable lady who created and maintains all this, Vanessa Cook

Dear Vanessa, thank you very very much for a great day in your universe! We utterly enjoyed it and simply regret to live so far away to not to be able to enjoy your paradise throughout the different seasons. Dear readers, if ever you come to Yorkshire, here is the link to visit this wonderful garden and nursery: 

stillingfleet lodge nurseries