Roses and honeysuckle around
the front door, unforgettable starry night skies are a couple of
examples of the romance and lure of staying at Penpoll.
The garden has a relaxed feel with scented Magnolias, Roses and
Wisteria on the walls. Gentle plantings of ferns shrubs and
trees predominate elsewhere. The extensive grounds are steeply
sloping in parts, but there are pretty terraces, lawn areas and
paths, plus a stream garden with seasonal shrubs, wild orchards,
two outdoor eating areas and a barbeque. There is plenty for
children to explore and do, including a much loved pirate boat
sandpit and making camps by the creek. This is a child’s
paradise of freedom, but care should be taken with very young
toddlers due to the very steep slopes and steps in the garden,
and the proximity to the creek.
The top
terrace is a total
suntrap, with lovely views over the creek. Off to one side is a
small lawned area, hidden from view for total seclusion! The
terrace has a large circular teak table, with umbrella and
comfortable reclining chairs. Steps from this terrace lead to
the upper orchard, with mown paths leading amongst the lichen
covered apple and damson trees towards the creek, and yet more
stunning river views.
The lower terrace is perfect
for those who like a bit more shade, with a comfy bench, a
recessed slate seating area (refreshingly cool on really hot
days) and a long cedar wood table under the gently spreading
branches of a large cotoneaster. Steps lead up to the top
terrace. |
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The grounds continue beyond
the lane, providing off road parking for two cars or a small
dinghy trailer behind a pair of wooden gates. This is the spring
garden, with camellias and rhododendrons ablaze in the spring.
Secret waterside camps are regularly built here by young
would-be explorers.
Directly in front of the
house, is a lawned area, by the creek which is where the
resident swans and ducks come to show off their latest line of
offspring, and to politely ask for bread. The creek here is
perfect for dam building. It is ankle deep paddling at low tide,
and the stones are well practiced at attempting to hold back or
re-direct the water; they have trained generations of budding
engineers!
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Beyond the bridge, you are
free to roam in the Lower Orchard where cider apple trees
provide the main ingredient for the cider made at Penpoll Farm.
The orchard borders the creek, and here we have a small mooring
and tiny steps for accessing a boat at high tide. At low tide,
the boats in the creek rest on the shingle. The orchard in high
summer is a haven for picnics, swan feeding and birdwatching.
The garden is wonderful in the spring, the banks and orchards
are covered in a non stop breathtaking display from January to
April of mature snowdrops, primroses and wild daffodils. We
leave the grass long in the summer to enjoy the wild flowers –
dark wild aquilegias, oxe eye daisies and scabious self-seed and
never fail to lift our spirits for weeks on end.
Views of the river provide year-round, ever changing interest.
Sleepy sunny summer days, and long shadows in the autumn, frosty
mornings in the winter and early spring, every day is different,
and can be enjoyed close up on the riverbank or curled up on the
sofa, through the sitting room window. No wonder painters love
coming here!
Limited parking space is available. One space is directly
outside the gates to the house, a further two / small dinghy
trailer can be parked off road in the Spring Garden. A small
dinghy (less than 15ft) could be launched (at high tide) from
Penpoll. A note of caution; check the tide times and locate the
channel within the creek before launching! |
