Bisham Abbey - Garden Visit

Today I took part in something quintessentially British - a garden visit.  For those who are from outside of the UK - there are several charitable Open Garden schemes in the UK - for the Red Cross, Air Ambulance and the National Garden Scheme (for nursing and caring charities).  This is something I used to do regularly but I got out of the habit and I am trying to resurrect it.  

Most of the gardens are normal private gardens (although often large) and frequently there are several gardens open on the same day in the same village - you can visit all of them for one small entrance price.  Most are only open once in the year. There is almost always tea (or coffee) and cake for another small price, usually home-made by the villagers.  The proceeds from the entrance fee and the drinks/cakes goes to the charity.  

Sometimes the gardens are attached to well-known stately homes which may or may not be normally open to the public, such as today's visit to Bisham Abbey  (more details below).  In addition to the Abbey, there was a small cottage garden and the church gardens.  The gardens were open on behalf of Air Ambulance.  

Unique to this garden visit, were the boat trips provided between the different gardens - the three gardens were close to each other geographically, but not easily accessible to each other by foot.  There were several boats being used, provided by local boat-owners who were happy to donate their time (and petrol) for several hours on a Sunday afternoon.  

Although I must say, that the gardens themselves weren't that impressive, it was a very enjoyable afternoon - time outside on a sunny day, 3 short boat trips on the Thames, and delicious tea and cake in a beautiful setting - all for less than £10 ($15).  (Sadly, I had to leave Dolly at home).  

For some extra photos, check out my Flickr album.

Bisham Abbey (pronounced Biss'am), is a manor house on the site of what used to be a monastery. Henry VIII granted the house to Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce settlement from him. Later, after it was bought by the Hoby family, Queen Elizabeth I was a regular visitor.  

Today the complex of buildings at Bisham Abbey are run as a National Sports Centre on behalf of 'Sport England'. Athletes and sports teams come here to train. The buildings are also used for conferences, corporate events and private functions, as well as being a popular wedding venue.