We visited the Water Gardens on 22nd September and found it to be magical! A lovely late summer's afternoon, many of the flowers had died off but there was still so much to see! The ponds criss-crossed with paths, something different and surprising around every turn of the path. The cuckoo clock is so ingenious, the grotto so beautiful, the mill fascinating, with that dear little room at the bottom and the dovecote at the top, the Monet bridge .... so much to see! The range of plants and trees is endless. Richard Pim was a delight to talk to. A delicious cream tea afterwards made our afternoon! We will return in May or June next year, to see the gardens in full bloom!
The garden is quirky and unusual, with several water-powered features and such healthy moisture-loving plants - especially the monster Gunnera! I took a party to a very special evening meal at the cafe - this was a one-off event, but the regular lunches and snacks are also absolutely delicious. The phone number below is for the cafe, not the garden.
We had read about this garden on a leaflet we had picked up and must admit we didn't think it sounded like much. But finding ourselves at a lose end we decided to go and have a look and I was so pleased we did. It's my type of garden, Messy and wild (It takes a lot of hard work to make a garden look so wild and yet still be kept). The follies were delightful, (but then I love a good folly). You can feel the love that as been put into this garden, it is like walking in a fairy tail garden. I can't wait for the next time we are down that way.
I went with my husband and good friend. We had been talking about going all summer but could never quite get a time when we could all make it. Now was the time. I loved this garden. I really do not like manicured gardens. This has the feel of a cherished and much loved garden with many interesring plants. As others have already mentioned the follys add an interesting dimension and I suspected the owner must be like that professor character from chitty chitty bang bang. He even took the trouble to explain step by step how he constructed the Cuckoo clock tower and this was accompanied with pictures. Children of all ages would get something from it I think. I guess looking at others reviews it reminds me that you can never please all the people all of the time but for me this was time and money well spent. We had lunch at the cafe which I suspect is run by someone else but not sure of this. We had fennel and goats quiche and salad. Pastry was a little hard fire my liking. Nice selection of cakes and scones. Soups and bacon rolls. I had loose leaf darjeeling tea nice touch and blackcurrant and cinnamon cake very nice. We spent a good three hours chilling out here and I must say it was very very enjoyable experience.
This is an outstanding family garden. Unbelievable what has been achieved. The water feature is fun the cuckoo clock is quirky but the grotto WOW breathtaking. Yes areas of the grounds are wet but it is a water garden. The little cafe is great the food is 1st class. However can see if it gets busy then would be quite difficult to get in and see properly. But was still in the garden for a good three hours.
If you are looking for somewhere to visit that is unusal then the Water Gardens at Westonbury Mill, Pembridge is for you. You can spend as little as an hour or as we did over 3. The gardens are situated in a guiet, tranquil location just outside of Pembridge. The first thing that greets you is a stone tower next to a small stream. An ingenious series of buckets powered by a small watermill lifts water up and into a tank at the top of the tower. When full the tank discharges the water out through a gargole back into the stream. You then enter a series of small gardens starting with the bog garden. The map provided allows you to wander to each garden in any order you wish. There is ample seating throughout so that you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Besides the stone tower there are other follies situated in the gardens. The highlight of these, for me was the water powered cockoo clock. This comes to life about 10 minutes before the hour until about 5 minutes afterwards. It has to be seen and heard to be believed. Finally, the small tea rooms offers a limited choice of hot and cold meals or snacks at reasonable prices. The staff are very welcoming and helpful.Susan and Derek, Berkshire
Beautiful gardens and fun to explore. Would recommend a visit (not on a wet day though).Nice tearoom as well.
On our way back from a weekend in Wales we popped in for a drink, what a lovely surprise. Staff very helpful, lots too choose from. We had the coffee which was delicious. Scrummy scones & cheesecake very good price. Set in outstanding scenery.
I visited the gardens during a wedding reception and not for the first time - they are very peaceful and there is always something to catch the eye. If I lived locally I would visit more often.
What a wonderful place for every generation from kids to "kids at heart"! A dream of a place from exotic to scientific to a mini Monet garden, an artists paradise. Thank you Richard for a wonderful morning I'm sure many of our group" Friends around the Bay" from Torquay will be back again to bring their other friends. I'm glad you are sharing your wonderful garden with the rest of the world. Well done.