Jacobean style comes through fire and water (From Worcester News)

Jacobean style comes through fire and water

10:15am Monday 1st June 2009

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AFTER fire and floods a four-acre garden in the picturesque Teme Valley is welcoming back visitors with open arms.

The Jacobean-style Orleton House at Orleton, near Stanford Bridge, stands proud over the gardens which husband and wife team Jenny and John Hughes have spent 20 years perfecting.

The retired couple have poured hours of love and attention into their garden to overcome major setbacks in recent years and it is once again fully restored to its former splendour ready for the National Garden Scheme charity open weekend later this month.

Three years ago a fire all but destroyed a barn next to main house. The following year flooding deluged the garden during the summer’s storms.

For Mrs Hughes, aged 63, the setbacks were draining but the beautiful results are more than worth the effort.

She said: “This is the first year since the fire and flood where we’ve been able to say we’ve made it. And when you get people who have been around the garden praising your efforts, that’s what makes all the effort worthwhile.

“We’re all human, we all want a pat on the back.”

A new barn housing a tea room serving lunches and refreshments has now opened where the old barn used to be and the garden and beds are springing with colour from the “thousands” of herbaceous plants.

Mrs Hughes said: “The garden is ever-changing. We’re both avid gardeners and we like to share it with people.”

A small taster of this summer’s delights awaiting visitors include a border of purple alliums and deep red penstomans blending with shocking pink salvia.

The garden has plenty of nooks for the inquisitive visitor and includes a boardwalk next to the stream, arbors made of live willow, bridges and a waterfall.

There is also a new lych gate for this year where visitors can take the weight off their feet and enjoy the sun and a pottery workshop.

Orleton House, Orleton, Stanford Bridge, near Tenbury Wells WR6 6SU, is open from 11am until 5pm, today and tomorrow. Entry is £4 for adults and under-16s are allowed in free of charge.

Telephone 01584 881253 for more information.

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