It’s a year since I first visited NT Tyntesfield. That was an amazing time of discovery. Today I’m back again simply to take a wander through the grounds, visit the rose garden & enjoy the big blowsy dahlias by the kitchen garden.

Tickets for the house are sold out by the time I reach the entrance point. The girl is most apologetic, but it’s not a problem – the sun is shining  & hopefully so are those dahlias!

Come with me if you will. We shall take the path down to the house & rose garden. The view is breathtaking. The trees provide welcome shade for families & couples sitting on the lawn enjoying picnics or simply the beauty of their surroundings.

Insects adore plants like this & if you look closely the flower top left has a bee sat on the flower! It’s a tall architectural statement plant – it looks at home in the border here, but I confess, as a gardener it’s not something I like. As a keen photographer though I think it makes an excellent subject!

The colours in this border are more to my taste. I love the combination of the pinks & blues. I think it’s a mallow at the back, tall & double pink – I could happily have that one in my garden!

This image is from the rose garden, but I love it for the acer that makes a great focal point. The planting here is softer, with great grasses – I cannot resist tactile plants! Sunlight plays on the grasses, they seem to dance & play in the brightness, swaying gently. I would love to be here early in the day, or perhaps later when visitors are homeward bound & simply enjoy the peace, solitude.

Tomorrow I will continue our walk around the estate, but for now I will linger a while here in the rose garden.