A few months ago we wrote about how winter was affecting The Hundred House gardens. Now we’re well into spring and even having a few summery days the gardens are in full bloom so we thought it was time we gave you a little update.

Take a relaxing wander along ‘Lovers Walk’ and you’ll be greeted by a myriad of colours and scents. 

The first things to catch your eye as you enter the gardens are the wild cherry trees in full blossom. Then as the path meanders around the flower beds and ponds you’ll be see the aquilegia coming through, primroses, cowslips, penny royal and euphorbia. 

The hellebores have flowered magnificently but are now going over, as are the early daffodils; however, the Lily of the Valley are about to bloom and the roses are showing signs of vigorous growth.

Fortunately, we’ve now wheeled out the garden seats so feel free to take a break. You could even bring a sketch book or camera to capture the majesty of the pond’s skunk cabbage in full bloom or the herbaceous border that is showing signs of limitless colour for the rest of the season.

In the herb garden we’re now cutting sorrel, marjoram and variegated lemon balm for the kitchen. But it hasn’t all been plane sailing. Sadly, winter devastated the rosemary and seriously curtailed the sage so we’re now replanting. All our bay trees were totally burnt off by frost and have been cut down to ground level in the hope they will re-grow.

On a brighter note the vegetable patch is looking very healthy as vegetables should. Chives are in abundance with last year’s Italian parsley, carrots, leeks and little gem lettuce coming up. 

Next time you’re visiting The Hundred House Hotel for a cream tea, lunch or early summer’s evening meal, allow a little extra time for a stroll around the gardens and Lovers Walk to enjoy the beauty nature has to offer. 

With the winter season well and truly upon us, the elements never seem to deter the staff at the hotel. Whilst autumn saw the harvesting of the fruit and pumpkins, not forgetting the late season carrots, we also tidied up the well used and much loved herb garden for the onslaught of winter. 

November onwards Libby & Des and any spare members of hotel staff were busy planting Narcissus & Crocus in flower beds and tubs around the hotel. The tender potted plants including an abundance of Geraniums & Fuchsias were wheeled back into our poly tunnel, protected for winter.

‘Lovers walk’ where many a bride & groom have ‘walked the plank’ is renowned for its huge white aerum lilies & blue agapanthus which were also safely tucked away.

The winter blew in very hard and everything was iced over and still apart from Libby feeding the garden birds with scraps from the kitchen & Henry mucking out the donkeys (we have to keep him busy!).

On Saturday 18^th December the snow fell thick & we had a real white wedding. The bride looked wonderful & the guests were radiant next to the log burning fires – fortunately the groom was a local farmer. He pushed through the snow on his big red Massey Ferguson tractor, which looked great for the wedding photos in front of our Oak Tithe Barn.

As soon as the snow melted away it was all action again. Leaves were raked, paths cleared, compost & donkey manure applied to the chive beds & herb gardens. Now the first white tips of snowdrops are pushing through already with the daffodils & crocus following close on.

So, things never come to a halt at the Hundred House(Apart from Henry when he leans on the bar and sips his ‘Ironbridge Foundry Gold’ bitter). Next time you are visiting, allow a little time for a romantic tour of the flower & herb gardens. The bars are open all day & we are open every day for lunch and dinner.