Entrance Drive & Courtyard

The vehicular entrance to the property features our interpretation of a municipal roundabout. At its centre there is a clipped Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Umbraculifera’ surrounded by eight Ilex ‘Golden King’ and sixteen clipped Yew fashioned as obelisks. Enclosed by a steelwork basket-woven low fence planted with Dianella tasmanica softening the edges, the whole enhanced with seasonal bedding.

Passing through the blue painted and gilded gate we enter the paved and gravelled pedestrian Entrance Court with its sundial enhanced with formal containers containing various specimen plants. The gate from the lane is known as the Postman’s Gate for he or she is the only person that uses it. In the brick arch over the gate is a terra-cotta coat of arms of the city of Manchester. It is there for its motto which reads ‘Concilio et Labore’, by council and labour, a fitting endorsement of the way in which our garden was made! The plants adorning the walls of this sheltered area contain many rare plants.