Treasures Near Chepstow
Veddw House, Devauden is set in gorgeous countryside on the Welsh border above Tintern and has two acres of ornamental gardens and two acres of woodland. The owners are intersted in local landscape history and have incorporated this interst into the garden design, in particular in a large parterre of grasses inside a pattern of box hedges based on the local Tithe map.
Elsewhere, thoughts about what “natural” and “wild“ mean have been an influence, for example in the “Cornfield Garden” where cornfield weeds and barley grow in formal beds. A dramatic reflecting pool with a sculptural seat is a recent notable addition, but many people’s favourite parts will still be the ornamental vegetable plot, with rose border, brick paths and standard roses or the colour themed gardens and borders. The garden is featured in the Good Gardens Guide, the BBC Gardener’s World Garden Lover’s Guide to Britain and the RHS Garden Finder.
Owner’s Anne Wareham, who writes for the Times, The English Garden, Country Living and, Charles Hawes, a garden photographer, whose pictures feature in here and other publications welcome visitors to enjoy the gardens.
Veddw House has it own website
Directions (taken from the website) as are as follows: From Devauden leave B4293 on the St Arvans Road, signposted at village green (be careful of road signs as they may not be correct - best to check the map and make sure you're taking the right road). You will go down a steep hill, with Chepstow Park Wood on your right. After half a mile take left turn marked "The Fedw" - Veddw House is the first house on the right, with blue gates. Parking available for 12 cars on site.
Opening hours: From 3rd June to 24th August inclusive, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Entrance £4.50, children £1.50. Parties by appointment afternoons or evenings.
Veddw House, Devauden is signed from the pub on the green at Devauden. Tel. 01291 650836
The Hidden Gardens and Grottoes of Dewstow. These large areas of gardens and landscapes created around the turn of the century by "James Pulham & Sons" landscapers and Garden Designers are currently in the early stages of excavation and recovery. The gardens were created at the most prolific period of James Pulman and Son’s work, and represent one of their most spectacular projects. The original gardens featured streams, cascades and lakes, a gazebo, and a wonderful series of sunken caves, grottoes, tunnels and ferneries.
The gardens have been very neglected and largely filled in over the years but although some are in a very poor condition, other parts remain as good as the day they were built. Today the gardens contain many ponds and rills and also interestingly, underground grottoes, tunnels and sunken ferneries. The rock gardens are made up of a mixture of real stone and faced stone using various types of Pulhamite. The site is approximately 7 acres and it is planned that as much as possible will eventually be renovated, the replanting of new trees and plants is already under way.
The Hidden Gardens and Grottoes of Dewstow are presently only open by appointment, although it is intended that they should be opened to the general public in due course. There is still much recovery, renovation and planting to do. For more information tel 01291 430444 or visit www.dewstow.com/