January 2007
Press Release
SPRING BLOSSOMS AT MARLE PLACE GARDENS
The beautiful gardens of Marle Place, near Brenchley, re-open for the 2007 season on Sunday 1 April. The delightful combination of formal planting and naturalised woodlands, which began as a hobby for husband and wife owners Gerald and Lindel Williams some 40 years ago, is now a recommended destination for garden enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Weald, Marle Place Gardens, set around an attractive 17th-century house, combines plantsmanship with artistic flair, creating a mix of styles from exuberant herbaceous borders, smooth lawns, Italianate walled garden and yew hedged potager with its orchid house, to an elaborate Edwardian rockery. The informal areas of woodland and pasture are accessible via meandering paths.
In spring, masses of fragrant daffodils and narcissi line sweeping lawns under majestic Atlantic cedars, while sweet scented hyacinths and tulips and blossoming shrubs paint splashes of colour in the burgeoning borders. Many of the trees – a particular passion of Gerald’s – flower spectacularly at this time, including several of the more unusual acers, like acer brilliantism which is a shock of apricot, and, of course, fruit trees including cherry, apple, pear, quince and medlar. Primula feature in May as they adorn a bog garden set beneath a bright red Chinese wooden bridge.
The woodland floors are resplendent with primroses, wood anemones, wild orchids and bluebells, while all around the sound of birdsong fills the air. This beautiful garden recently received a Gold Gardening for Wildlife award. Numerous species of garden birds which nest and breed happily year after year and many native butterflies, like the Peacock and Red Admiral and the migrant Painted Lady all will make their first appearances in the gardens in spring. The wild ponds, one dug in ancient times for the extraction of marl, a type of clay, are home to dragonflies, frogs, newts and even kingfishers. The ancient woodlands provides habitat for fox, rabbit, squirrel and badger.
As well as the glory of the plants themselves, Marle Place is known for its artwork – owner Lindel Williams is a painter, and daughter Lucy carves wonderful whimsical wooden benches and chairs in her workshop on site. Examples of Lindel’s and Lucy’s work are positioned around the gardens, also works by artist friends, and even by members of the public who have attended one of the nature creativity days held in the gardens throughout the year. There is also a gallery which holds regular exhibitions, included within the garden admission.
The gardens are open Fridays to Mondays, or other days by appointment, from 1 April to 8 October 2007, 10am-5pm. Events for spring include an extra opening under the National Gardens Scheme on Wednesday 25 April and an exhibition of Lindel’s art, from Saturday 7 to Monday 30 April.
Parts of the gardens and woodlands are accessible to wheelchairs and, generously, Marle Place offers free entry to wheelchair users. Admission for other visitors is only £4.50 for adults, £4 for seniors and just £1 for children aged 4-12. Self service tea, coffee and cake is available, and picnickers are allowed in the woodland areas.
For more information about Marle Place telephone Lindel Williams on 01892 722304.