Minterne Gardens in October

[puddleshark]

Made my annual October pilgrimage to Minterne Gardens to see the Japanese maples. It was grey and windy, but the maples were as glorious as ever.















Other wonders from the garden:







Not just the hydrangeas in flower, but also some very confused rhododendrons:













Visiting the gardens on a Saturday in October may have been a mistake, as in October the owners set up a Hallowe'en Trail, very popular with families with small children, and the gardens were quite busy.






Minterne House.

I did visit the little café on the terrace after my visit, but it was a disappointment. While the Hallowe'en Trail is running, they only serve drinks in paper cups, and food in cardboard cartons. No proper pots of tea. I ordered a coffee and cake, but only the coffee arrived, no cake. And by then there was a huge queue of families waiting to pay at the café to get into the gardens, and I couldn't be bothered to join the end to inquire into the fate of my cake, so went home cakeless.

If I make my pilgrimage to the maples next year, I must remember to take a flask of coffee, and a little picnic, not rely on the café to provide.

Comments

[nanila]

You found some autumnal colour. Gorgeous! It's mostly dull browns around here.

[puddleshark]

The Japanese maples at Minterne are always spectacular, provided I manage to catch them before the November gales blow all the leaves off!

[heleninwales]

There is one little Japanese maple that I've seen on our walks in the Coed y Brenin. It must be the offspring of one in a garden somewhere. The colour is amazing. It must be wonderful to see lots of larger specimens.

A shame about it being so busy, but I do like the little ghosts.

[puddleshark]

The Japanese maples at Minterne must be some of the oldest in Dorset. They are truly spectacular.

I wasn't that impressed with the Hallowe'en decorations this year - they were much more artistic and quirky last year. But I did quite like those little ghostie lights.

[kotturinn]

Yup, definitely maple season.
Bah to being cakeless!

[puddleshark]

The field maples and the beeches along the lanes here do turn a lovely gold at this time of year, but the rest of our trees are a bit boring. I have to go in search of Japanese maples if I want some spectacular colour!

The café was disappointing. No garden visit is complete without a proper pot of tea and a slice of cake.

[kaishin108]

Darn that Halloween! It's not my favorite holiday. Well, at least you know now right. Mark a warning on your calendar for next year. That is the type of things I forget, LOL.

[puddleshark]

I was amazed how popular the Hallowe'en trail was. I didn't think the decorations were that spectacular, not compared to what you see in gardens in the States. But at least it gave all the little kiddies plenty of fresh air and exercise.

[kaishin108]

Yes there's that, got the kids out and off their phones and computers, hee hee.

[changeling72]

Another place I haven't been. It looks heavenly, bar the queues for cake and little cherubs.

I am hoping to visit Stourhead again this weekend - if the weather plays ball.

[puddleshark]

The Himalayan Garden at Minterne is fabulous, but probably best avoided during Hallowe'en!

I always forget about Stourhead when I'm thinking about which gardens to visit. It's a bit of an epic drive compared to most of the local gardens. But I bet the beeches there will be glorious if you get some sunlight.