... The Mediterranean Garden. The soil of the Mediterranean Garden is more gravelly than elsewhere, and this site was chosen as it receives all of the available sun, especially in the winter. The large amount of brickwork, low walls and paving has been specifically created to give warmth to the plants through the winter, and the raised beds assist good drainage. It is also hoped that the frost will tend to roll away from the garden down the hill southwards where additional terraces are being gradually created.

The beds and borders are heavily mulched with gravel and planted with a wide variety of plants requiring hot, well drained, positions and including, amongst others, Echium pininana, various Yucca's a collection of rosemaries, Acacia pravissima and...

... Dendromecum rigida (the tree poppy). Much of the planting consists of typical plants from the Mediterranean maquis, the Californian chaparral and Australasia.

At this point you have a choice; either go back in an easterly direction towards the Tea Rooms and the remaining sections of the garden, or venture on a