Hallowed ground

Saturday 18th March

Sir John Betjeman described the grounds of St Just in Roseland as being " to many people the most beautiful churchyard on earth", in his Shell Guide to Cornwall ( 1964).

I'm afraid the morning was dull and the lighting poor, so these photos really don't do it justice.
However even on a poor day it was truly beautiful.
The setting at the top of the little creek is perfect.
Carpets of primroses every where.
Camellias and magnolias, tall palms and tree ferns. A very exotic church yard.
Planting started back in the late 1800's when John Treseder returned from Australia to take over his father's nursery, after he died.
He found a piece of land adjacent to the church, which he leased from the rector,where he could grow the exotic plants he brought from Australia.
After the Second World War the church took over the land for burials.
In 1984, under the supervision of John's grandson Neil, a memorial garden was planted across the road .

This was a very worth while detour on our way home.