12th June 2024
After a splendid lunch at The Otter, a lovely pub next to the River Soar, 6 Morgans with 12 people aboard parked in front of Whatton House, home of the Crawshaw family, to begin our private self guided tour of the garden.
The sun was shining and we felt warm! The gardens were extensive with lawns, a Chinese area, woodland and many colourful borders. It was not perfectly manicured, with some familiar weeds. A young gardener who had started working there only 2 weeks before seemed to find his task rather daunting!
We explored several lakes and ponds and a rose garden recently cleared of giant hogweed.
There was also a large walled garden full of undergrowth and derelict greenhouses, no doubt a future project or a money pit, currently closed to visitors.
We also explored the Tipis, available for weddings and other functions. 6 of us then drove to The Falcon at Long Whatton for a cup of tea, it being 4 o’clock!
A very interesting and enjoyable afternoon with perfect Morgan driving weather.
Thank you, Gerald and Mary for arranging it all including the sunshine
Words – Richard Davies
Pictures – Richard Davies, Gerald Ladkin and Jan Fileman