Stopping for a Cuppa

Every now and then we have to make a trip to Mole Valley Farmers for a bit of a farm supply stock up . This time we needed lamb milk powder and boots for both of us. It's a bit of a drive to get to whichever store we choose either to Bridgewater or Frome. This time we chose Frome because it's a more scenic drive and also I had in mind a good tea stop on our return journey.

 A short detour onto a smaller road took us to the village of Mells. You make recall that I have been here a couple of times before and have written posts on the Walled Garden.

It is a kind of a mix between a tea rooms and a small nursery of mainly perennial plants. It changed hands last year and the new owners are really still finding their feet.

The garden actually seems smaller each time I go but is still an appealing place to visit. I like the informality of the planting and layout although it needs constant attention to ensure that more vigorous shrubs don't win the battle.

There are lots of lovely little features including the central pond and dovecote.

There are places to sit with your tea or meal all round the garden which makes for energetic work for the staff.

Every corner brings suprises.

Such as these planted wheelbarrows.

Highlights at the moment include some very ancient fruit trees that are in full blossom.

The age of these trees indicate as do the walls actually how old this walled garden is which has monastic origins and originally included a rectory cottage. It has never been associated with any particular large  house or manor.

The tulips were also in full flower.

There were some varieties that I had not seen before before and were really quite unusual.

We did get our cuppa and a piece of cake. Sometime we must try out their home made pizzas cooked in their wood fired ovens.