Home History Gallery Find Us

The garden at Knoll Cottage is on the side of a valley on the outskirts of Stogumber, a picturesque village in undulating country between the Brendon Hills and the Quantocks. It has colour-washed and thatched cottages, and cobbled pavements. Also of note is a group of 17th century almshouses, the White Horse Inn and a red sandstone church dating back to c.1300.

The 4 acre garden at Knoll Cottage was started from fields in 1998. It has been designed to take advantage of the views of the surrounding countryside and a slight hill brow creates a natural ha-ha, so the garden appears to blend seamlessly into the fields and woodland further down the valley.

The planting is very varied. There are extensive mixed beds with annuals, perennials and shrubs. Roses are a particular favourite with over 80 varieties. A large pond is bordered by willows and a Pittosporum hedge, which screens an extensive fruit and vegetable area. Further down the garden a woodland area has many choice trees and shrubs, including 27 varieties of birch, 20 of rowan, 18 different Acers and 14 varieties of hawthorn. This leads on to a coppice planted in autumn 2009 with 750 ash trees.

The top of the garden is mostly rough grass and a few trees, but an attempt is being made to establish wild flowers. A path wandering through this area leads to a view point from which North Hill some 10 miles away beyond Minehead can be glimpsed.

Visiting the garden

The garden is open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme by appointment from May to October (admission £3).

On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June 2018, from 10:30 to 5:30, together with around 12 other gardens, it is openin aid of St Mary's Church, St Margaret's Somerset Hospice and The Children's Hospice South West. The entrance fee is £6. For more information see here.

On Sunday 17 June from 2-6pm, together with 5 other gardens, it is open under the National Gardens Scheme (the "yellow book"). The entrance fee is £5. Teas will be available in the village hall, and there will be some plants for sale.

 
Looking down the garden July 2011
Looking down the garden July 2011
 
Long borders July 2011
Long borders July 2011