The Friends of The Forgotten Garden of Lewtrenchard

Click on any of the images throughout the site to reveal larger more detailed versions..

One unexpected outcome of recent research by local historians into the life of Sabine Baring-Gould has been the discovery that just to the north of Lewtrenchard Manor Hotel, (which, as Lew House, was the ancestral home of Sabine) in a much neglected and densely overgrown valley in Barton wood, known locally as ‘The Glen,’ there had once been a charming and quite extraordinary Edwardian woodland garden. This is evident from the remains of ponds, walls, an imposing waterfall, walkways, slate steps, viewing areas and a grotto. Also, in what appears to be have been an adjacent domestic yard associated with Lew House, is a pigsty built by Sabine’s father, Edward, and a stone tower that may at one time have been an icehouse. Perhaps the most exciting structure known to have been in the Glen is a Holy Well the location of which has proved elusive.

Professional gardener, Robert Stemson, and amateur local historian, Ron Wawman, first met in July 2006 at the Open Garden Day of Lewtrenchard Manor Hotel. Rob and Ron soon discovered that they both had the same romantic dream – the restoration of the forgotten garden. There and then they determined to make this dream come true. And so it is that they brought together a group of enthusiastic volunteers who, in 2007, set themselves up as a charitable association, known as The Friends of the Forgotten Garden of Lew Trenchard.

Forthcoming Event:

Bluebell Walks - 28th, 29th April:
A joint event arranged by the Friends of the Forgotten Garden, St. Peter's Church and Lewtrenchard Primary School on the afternoons of Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April. Between 2 and 5 pm, cream teas will be served in the Church and members of the Friends will be available to give conducted tours of the garden.

Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Tree:
Also at 2 pm on Sunday 29th April a tree will be planted to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee

All welcome to both these events..

Newsletter no. 6 March 2012:

The sixth issue of the Newsletter appears as a separate page of this website.

"The last six months, since the AGM, have been taken up with consolidating the huge amount of work that went into preparing the garden for the grand opening in April 2011. It has been particularly gratifying to see that the meticulous effort that went into planting the wild flower meadow paid off magnificently in the summer of 2011. Currently work is in progress to improve pathways generally and to make access to the woodlands easier. Pillars are now in place near the northern border of the garden in readiness for a second bridge to span the stream there. It is anticipated that this will be in place by the end of April. This will enable us to complete a circular walk through the woodland and the garden of the Holy Well. The next major project will be the restoration of the Holy Well itself. It is anticipated that this will be completed in 2013, in time to celebrate Sabine Baring-Gould's own restoration of the well in 1913.


Ox-eye daisies in the wild flower meadow. Taken in late summer 2011 by Ian Smith.	Ox-eye daisies in the wild flower meadow.	A bluebell carpet.

Foxgloves.	Woodland daffodils.	Daisies in the wild flower meadow.

Bluebells above the stream.

Interested?

For further information visit the “All About the Friends” page.
For an Application form click here.
For a Standing Order form click here.