Kathy Brown's Garden at the Manor House

About

Voted as Winner of the East Region in the Nation’s Favourite Top Thirty Gardens in a competition involving the National Garden Scheme and The English Garden Magazine.

 Kathy Brown’s Manor House Gardens at Stevington, just north of Bedford provides a garden destination with a very personal touch. Designed and cared for by Kathy and her husband Simon, over the last 25 years, the 4.5 acre garden is open to the public on Tuesdays afternoons 1-5pm May-September and certain Bank Holidays each year.

Group visits can be arranged at other times, weekends included; either morning, afternoon or evening. Just one group at a time allows Kathy to give you her individual attention; with a chance to explore freely, but also the opportunity for a personal tour with either Kathy or her husband Simon. Lasting 45-60 minutes this is a chance to learn far more about the making of the garden, the plant names, and amusing stories behind the different areas. The garden offers lots of seating.

When to Visit: Garden Calendar

Good news! Our garden will be included in on one of the BBC Gardeners World four Winter Specials to be shown the week before Christmas or the week before New Year. It was filmed in early February this year. As a result we hope to open for the National Garden Scheme Charities on Sunday February 11th and for ourselves on other dates in February depending on weather (NOT if it is snowy or very wet). Dry and sunny is what we want; ideal for a bracing winter garden stroll. Dates on the website www.kathybrownsgarden.com

Late April to Early May for glorious spring bulbs, flowers on the lilacs, ceanothus, and viburnums as well as pretty ornamental cherries. A special treat are the stunning tree peonies amongst the white stemmed birches. Lots of spring containers.

Mid to end May for arches of spring clematis, laburnum and wisteria heavily under planted with alliums, herbaceous borders, peony borders and cottage garden. The peonies are very special with numerous herbaceous peonies and new intersectional peonies....the king of plants. Early yellow and white Chinese roses adorn the house walls with white and blue wisterias.

 June for generous cascades of rambling/climbing roses (over 40) as well as shrub roses, colourful herbaceous borders with delphiniums and hardy geraniums, poppies, iris and foxgloves; a beautiful cottage garden and extensive wildflower meadow.

July for our very special collection of late flowering clematis (over 80), beautiful wildflower meadow busy with bees and butterflies, vibrant herbaceous borders with phlox and penstemons, dahlias and echinaceas; several borders of ornamental grasses and numerous containers.

Aug & Sept. Great for wildlife, the garden is teaming with bees and insects. Dreamy naturalistic gardens sway with dainty grasses and colourful echinaceas. Super for the art gardens based on Monet, Rothko, Matisse, Hepworth and Hokusai. The main borders exude colour and there are still many clematis and lots of unusual containers. A prolific orchard with the chance to enjoy pressed apple juice and learn about apple cider making.

Teas with a difference

This is a wonderful destination for all afternoon tea lovers. Depending on the timing, Kathy’s cakes are flavoured with rose petals or elderflower or marigolds or lavender all growing in the surrounding flower borders. Gluten and dairy free cakes are also available. Both tea and coffee are offered, with fresh mint and lavender tea other options. The Vintage Floral Afternoon Tea offers scones and savouries as well, all with additional herbs and flowers to make them tasty and so pretty. You can also enjoy Kathy’s edible flower demonstration (groups of 30 or less) drawing on extensive practical knowledge using flowers with drinks, ice bowls, cakes, fruit salads, green salads, savoury treats etc. Her book Edible Flowers is for sale and she will be delighted to sign copies for visitors. Tea is normally taken on the lawn, but if weather is windy or wet, then tea is served in her beautiful dining room and conservatory.

A small shop offers Stevington Garden cards, and Kathy’s popular cake recipe cards, beautiful china mugs, and her gardening books including ‘Edible Flower’ £7 and ‘Painting with Nature’ £5, a fantastic Manor House Garden guide.