Parcevall's gardens in late summer

Come with me through the arched doorway and explore the beautiful gardens at Parcevall Hall.

There are a series of terraces at the front of the house, with a focal point of a round pond and a statue of a seated lady. Here too there are many seats and stone shelters, ideal places to settle down out of the wind and enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding fells. 

Behind the house there are walled gardens, and a rock garden that extends up the hillside around a stream that cascades down into a pool. Below and to the side of the house is a large area of mixed woodland, containing a lake, and to the other side are orchards and a camellia walk. There's something of interest to see in most seasons, though when I went the herbaceous planting was a little past its best.

I wasn't sure what the tree above was. It had pretty cup-shaped white flowers. The guide book tells me it is an evergreen Eucryphia x nymansensis 'Nymansay' - but honestly I'm none the wiser! The garden has, I think, some unusual plants. I don't know the red one below, with maroon leaves, but it may be a Lobelia Cardinalis, which appears to be a N American plant.

Those below are easier: red nasturtiums, though I don't know the blue one.

The purple ones are a kind of autumn crocus.

The red-hot pokers looked good against the purple leaves (?) and on a south-facing wall I even spotted a grape vine, which is certainly not what I'd expect to find in this kind of upland area.

Lovely silver birch bark in the woodland, so metallic shiny that it might actually have been crafted from silver:

Parcevall Hall

Parcevall Hall lies just over the hill from Trollers Gill (see yesterday). It has an interesting history. It was originally a farmhouse, owned by nearby Bolton Priory. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1539, monastic assets were seized and the property passed into private ownership. During the 17th and 18th centuries it was owned by yeoman farmers, and one of them, Christopher Lowson, made some additions to the farmhouse. These and the oldest (pre-1600) parts of the house are in the photo above. Later in the 18th and 19th centuries, agriculture took a downturn and the house appears to have deteriorated until the 1920s, when it was bought by William Milner. He set about transforming Parcevall into a fine gentleman's residence and a comfortable home. He added a substantial wing, seen in the picture below, in the fashionable Arts and Crafts style.  

He also created a garden, remarkably, given that the surrounding land is largely treeless, high, limestone moorland. He planted trees all around the estate and created a series of substantial terraces, almost like extra rooms to the house. This blurs the boundary between house and garden, and then the severity of the stone is softened with planting. After his death the gardens deteriorated but have been nursed back to health over the last twenty years by a dedicated team of gardeners. The Hall is now used by the Anglican Diocese of Leeds as a retreat house. It's such a beautifully peaceful place to spend time.

The house and terraces face south and have wonderful views across to the hill known as Simon's Seat.

A spring of water

Another view of the round pool and statue at Parcevall Hall.  There is a biblical quote etched into the paving stone, from John 4: 'A spring of water welling up to eternal life'.

The full quote is:
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I have always found time spent at Parcevall, whether a few hours or a few days, has been a refreshing experience for me.  I go back to normal life feeling more grounded, spiritually nourished and with a better perspective on things. I guess we all need to find places we can go to, or activities we can do, that have that effect on us.  What is yours?

Waterlilies

There are several ponds and water features around Parcevall Hall gardens, and one had these pretty pink waterlilies -  nymphaea - though I don't know what variety they are.  Such exotic flowers to find in a windswept and remote location.

What a view!

Parcevall Hall's gardens extend over 24 acres on a steeply sloping site.  Some of the area is orchard and woodland but around the house there are formal terraced gardens, whilst behind is an interesting rock garden, carved out of the limestone bedrock, and a pretty rose garden.  There are magnificent views across to the hill known as Simon's Seat and down towards the valley of the River Wharfe - and happily there are plenty of benches strategically placed to make the most of the scenery.

Originally laid out by Sir William Milner from 1927, the gardens became neglected after his death until a restoration programme was started in the 1980s.  Now back to their former glory, they are carefully managed to provide interest all year round (though the site is remote and can be difficult to access in winter.)  The hall and gardens have been featured in films and on TV and though not attracting hordes of visitors (thankfully it retains a peaceful feel) they are of great interest to garden enthusiasts.
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I was pondering John's comment yesterday about my photos having 'balance and serenity'.  I think I do very much seek out those qualities in my lifestyle and environment - and I suppose, by definition therefore, my photos.  Working for a large public sector organisation that, despite its protestations to the contrary, seems hell-bent on demoralising its workforce and making it impossible for us to give the public the good service they deserve - and then coming home to the media stories of greed, corruption and "couldn't care less about others, only seeking to serve myself" in high places... I really need beauty and peace and I find it most easily in nature (though that also has its harsh side).  Today's good news is: my daughter's 20 week scan is fine - and it's a girl.  And my mum's treatment is working as hoped and she is doing well.  Praise God - and thank you for your kind thoughts and comments on both matters.

A little bit of heaven on earth

Up in the Yorkshire Dales, just over the hill from Trollerdale (see yesterday) this lovely old manor house nestles into the hillside.  It's known as Parcevall Hall and was built as a farmhouse in about 1584.  Sensitively extended into a hall over the years, it became the home of Sir William Milner, who bequeathed it on his death in 1960 to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (an Anglo-Catholic shrine and place of pilgrimage in Norfolk).  Now leased by the Diocese of Bradford (Church of England) it is used as a conference and retreat centre.  I think it's one of the most beautiful places I know.

I have several times stayed here, both on retreat and running several training conferences (in my previous self-employed life).  It's a really peaceful, serene place. The old building is beautiful and full of lovely things.  I once slept in its grand four-poster bed - and some of the cast-iron Victorian baths are nearly big enough to swim in! (Sir William Milner was 6'7" tall so that perhaps explains the size of the baths.) The house is only open to guests but the extensive gardens are open to the public to enjoy.