Whitworth Hall, County Durham, U.K.

One of the gardens my family likes to visit on a regular basis is at Whitworth Hall, County Durham. It's only a few miles from our house. Whitworth Hall was the family home of the Shafto family. Remember that old nursery rhyme:

Bobby Shafto's gone to sea,

Silver buckles on his knee;

He'll come back and marry me,

Bonny Bobby Shafto!

Well, this was Bonny Bobby's garden! :) Robert Shafto was a British Member of Parliament and was born at Whitworth in 1732. The house is no longer a stately home and is now a hotel. The extensive gardens are open to the public, where there is a beautiful walled garden. It once supplied all the fruit and vegetables for the family of the manor and it is still well-maintained, providing food for the hotel kitchens.

Beyond the house there is a woodland walk where you can see the old water wheel that used to generate electricity for the house in the 19th Century. Just over the wall is the private church where the family worshipped. It is still very much in service (excuse the pun!) and serves parishioners from nearby villages. Near the house there is even a small pet cemetery. It's quite moving to see the little crosses with the names of various budgies, cats and dogs that the family had over the years.

But it's the walled garden that I like best with its apple, peach and plum trees, grape vines and a wonderful variety of scented flowers such as roses, lavender and lilies.

Taken from inside the Walled Garden, looking out of one of the side gates.

The old water wheel in the woodland glade below the manor house.

The Gazebo with the house in the background.

Wouldn't you just love a greenhouse like this?! Inside the Walled Garden.

Whitworth Hall with its beautiful surroundings, is one of County Durham's jewels. I am so lucky to have it practically on my doorstep.