Teversal Manor Gardens

The gardens of Teversal Manor are now open to the public, with many new features for 2006.
The gardens are constantly being improved, with new and interesting things being added
all the time, and a return visit will see the continued progress of work in the gardens.

Teversal Manor is situated in an area rich with places to visit, and there are several National Trust properties in the surrounding area, including Hardwick Hall, Biddulph Grange, Calke Abbey,and Belton House. The famous Chatsworth House is just 36 minutes drive away from Teversal.

View Down Stream To The Gazebo (Click for larger image)

Winged Figure By Marzia Colonna (Click for larger image)

Ornamental Waterfall (Click for larger image)

Ancient Olive Tree Imported From Italy (Click for larger image)

Tree Seat At The Centre Of The Ornamental Pond Garden

The gardens are approached from the north by a fine avenue of lime trees next to St Katherines church across an old stable courtyard now called Manor Green. These lawns are carpeted with daffodils in spring.

The impressive gardens include to the west of the house the remnants of a walled pear orchard which is now a beautiful ornamental pond garden. This area has its own microclimate that enables many unusual and tender plants to survive, many of which are grown from seed on the premises.

This garden is landscaped with a series of mounds that give rise to many different views and aspects to the garden. The visitor can stroll along the walled border between the rows of lavender. Sit and view the panorama from the elevated gazebo. Work their way round the garden to an unusual ornamental vegetable maze surrounded by a pergola walkway.

The striking patinated sculpture 'Winged Figure' by Marzia Colonna is situated in another compartment opposite a patchwork thyme mound.

Ornamental Pond Garden (Click for larger image)

Elevated Gazebo (Click for larger image)

Patchwork Thyme Mound (Click for larger image)

Gravel Garden With Wrought-Iron Sculpture (Click for larger image)

The impressive terraces at the rear of the house include a south facing top terrace originally thought to be a croquet lawn. These are carpeted in snowdrops and aconites and crocus in spring. This lawn leads down to three more imposing terraces overlooking pasture and woodland.

Each terrace is fifty-seven metres wide and twenty-one metres deep with a sheer drop of as much as four metres. They are all enclosed by between two and four metre high staggered sandstone walls to the west and by one metre high walls to the east and south.

Although much research has been undertaken into the history of Teversal Manor house and the gardens, there are very few descriptions and plans left relating to their layout. Apart from the many distinctive ball finials on the eaves, and the shield of the Molyneux cross above the porch there are few obvious points of inspiration to take directly from the house when redesigning the gardens.This has allowed the owners to imprint their own tastes and personality onto the place.

Frog Sculpture! (Click for larger image)

Bog Garden Planting (Click for larger image)

The upper terrace has two small flights of steps (one ramped for disabled access) at each corner leading onto the second terrace laid out originally in a formal pattern and planted with old roses. This terrace has now been relaid by the current owners to form an impressive parterre incorporating the pattern of two Molyneux shields laid back to back. The cross on the shields are formed using yellow Molineux rose bushes on a background of blue slate. This and the long borders can also be viewed from the terrace above. The centre piece to this terrace is a bronze sculpture by Marzia Colonna called 'New Lovers'.

Lavendula Hidcote (Click for larger image)

Ligularia Desdemona (Click for larger image)

Eremurus (Foxtail Lily) (Click for larger image)

From there, a flights of four metre wide central steps of mellow sandstone lead down to the third terrace lined with an avenue of fastigiate Cupressus 'Pyramidalis' sent over from Italy.

This terrace has the beginnings of a mini arboretum to be further planted with specimen trees and shrubs. These are set off with an interesting wrought iron sculpture.

A parterre for this terrace is in the design stages and will be added in the future.

View Of Summerhouse & Pond From Elevated Gazebo

Path Through Bog Garden (Click for larger image)

Mounds Retained By Sleepers (Click for larger image)

Walled Herbaceous Lavender Walk (Click for larger image)

The fourth terrace is planted with tropical plants and specimens.
There is a dry river bed feature to one side of the garden.
A stumpery is planted on the shadier side of the terrace amongst nut trees and tree ferns.

This terrace is punctuated with a central set of square gate piers with moulded caps and ball
finials on ogee bases reflecting those of the house.
This would have originally been gated and had a further flight of steps down
to the parkland beyond.

This would have given access to an old concrete lined Victorian sunken bath continually fed by clear natural spring water.

Beyond the parkland is woodland that backs onto the Teversal Trails.

This woodland is to be renovated in the future for visitors to enjoy woodland walks to complete a round trip of the estate and enjoy the impressive views back to the garden.