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Tarrington Court Gardens
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Catherine Jago has won gold, silver and bronze medals for her courtyard gardens and you will discover many of the features she used in the grounds. The gardens are a mixture of traditional and contemporary, sympathetic to the main house.
The African Hut is an ideal place to enjoy a quiet evening listening to the gently flowing stream as it tumbles past.
There is a large lawned area, a hazelnut tree and exotic looking plants.
There is a seaside area, complete with boat and surrounded by palms and other exotic looking plants.
Two dams built into the stream create some deeper areas of water and waterfalls.
Steps, pathways and a turf bridge give access to the different sides of the stream.
At the lower end of the stream are tree ferns along with some other unusual ferns leading to a rhododendron and azalea dell.
You will find numerous original sculptures, letter carvings and ornamentation around the garden; see if you can find the wood elves high in the trees and the lead gnome by his tree house.
Passing from the Africa garden through the archway, you arrive in the black and white Venetian garden.
Black and white flowers match the colours of the 16th century house with black and white poles lining the borders.
Two lines of topiary lead down from the steps in front of the house towards an urn set as a focal point.
Looking from the house and past the urn you can see the woodland in the background.
Directly in front of the house is an intricate box parterre (best seen from above).
Heading towards the site of the old moat there is a large shrub bed on the left, with sculptures almost hidden from view.
Down the steps and past the lion statue you wll see a catalpa tree with its lime green leaves highlighted by shafts of light against the dark surrounding conifers.
In the spring it is surrounded by sweet smelling narcissi.
At the other side of the moat, following the gravel path through the large gate, you will find a traditional gothic shaped rose garden on your right.
When the roses are in full bloom the scent is intoxicating.
In the Arboretum there are various specimens of trees, more sculptures and a hidden garden. In the spring large swathes of tulips sway in the wind.
There is an outdoors room with an old fireplace and seating and a birch tree surrounded by a wooden seat with the amusing inscription "Bring back the birch" - inspired by Ian Hamilton Finlay - around it.
A gate at the far left leads to the Orangery and Malvern Mounds where on a clear day, if you climb the mounds, you can see the Malvern Hills in the distance.
There is an amphitheature with a wonderful statue outside the orangery and a gate leading to the Vineyard of Madeleine Angevine vines which will be heavy with grapes in September.
Four statues stand raised up next to the far wall depicting the four seasons.
In the corner a table and benches nestle with appropriate inscriptions etched into the wood.
A harvesting party is thrown late September where friends and family gather to celebrate afterwards with a glass or two of last year's harvest.
Alongside the vineyard is the Fibonacci Walk - Looking down from the Malvern Mounds there is a clear view of the walk lined with cupressus planted to represent the fibonnacci series of numbers.
On the left is the kitchen garden, the most productive part of the gardens.
Produce is grown for the house and a green house is used for propagating new plants and various vegetables for planting into the potager.
A Cutting Garden and Fruit Cage situated up the bank, grows flowers for the house, friends and family. The fruit cage in the centre protects the soft fruit from the birds.
An inscription can be found - a poem by Alexander Pope -carved on the oak frame.
Behind the Cutting Garden and hidden slightly from view are the large compost bins needed for the 5 acres of garden and a large bonfire area for getting rid of waste.
The Mediterranean Garden opposite and alongside the kitchen garden is full of a plethora of items, sculptures and pots.
An unusual item is the hand sticking out from the wall, taken from the Chelsea 2002 Memo Garden.
There is a water feature, olive trees, a balcony leading to a table and chairs.
Going through the gate at the end of the Fibonacci Walk you will see the stream in front of you.
Walk up the right bank and across the bridge at the top to see the deer statues. Come down the other side of the stream and look out for the salmon jumping up the fish ladder, a bench and some toadstools.
On the right of the Cider House door is a small gate, this takes you into the Courtyard Garden. Head along the gravel path towards the steps.
The beds are shaped in a regular geometric pattern and edged with box. They include cottage garden planting and a herb garden.
A water feature is situated on the lawn surrounded by more geometrically shaped hedging and some wonderful white clay pots.
On the courtyard itself is a huge table and chairs for those warm summer evenings.
An auricular theatre is on the back wall, positioned to be seen clearly from the kitchen window.
is a 16th century, timber framed black and white house with square shaped panels but is not open to the public.
An 18th century red brick, slightly French looking building which is open for visitors to the shop (see below).
A plethora of gardening items for sale - from garden clogs to wasp catchers to sporks to cucumber straighteners. Take a look at the Shop page on our website for more information on what's in store.
There is usually someone at the shop between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday, (excluding Bank Holidays) but to avoid disappointment, please contact us to check, especially if you are travelling far or would like to come outside these times (01432 262 827).
Please note we don't have the facilities for credit or debit cards, so can only accept cheques and cash.
With 5 acres to play with, the gardens comprise of a number of features to tempt you, yet each one can exist in its own right as an individual smaller garden providing inspiration and beauty.
If you are attending an NGS Open Day or a group visit please note that this is a private garden and you enter at your own risk.
The stream and other elements of the garden make it only suitable to older children or those under adult supervision.
Many parts of the garden are accessible to wheelchair users, subject to weather conditions.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
Tarrington is 7 miles west of Ledbury and approximately 25 minutes from the M5. It is about 10-15 minutes from Hereford City.
From Ledbury follow the signs for Hereford. On entering the village of Tarrington turn left immediately before the Tarrington Arms Pub.
From Hereford take the right turning just past the Tarrington Arms Pub.
Follow the road for a while and then take the left turning signposted Alders End. Turn right IMMEDIATELY opposite the white B&B and proceed along the drive marked 'Tarrington Court'.
Go through the gate at the end. Please close the gate after you, thank you.
If you would like more details or information please do not hesitate to call Catherine Jago Tel: 01432 262 827
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