I took these pictures on a trip to Heale House in Wiltshire early this summer. Actually, the 17th century house itself is not open to the public, but the peaceful gardens are always a pleasure to visit.  The house was built in the 16th century by Sir William Greene. In 1553 he gave the house to his daughter as a wedding present. A very nice gift indeed!

As you enter the gardens there is a formal walled garden with fruit trees and herbaceous borders in a raised area to your left. To the right the river winds along beneath shady mature trees. Out of site in the distance is the house and lawns. 

The herbaceous borders, (full of fragrant musk roses) were not yet in flower when I visited, but this yellow border was starting to show some colour. As a backdrop to this border there is a wonderful tunnel of laburnum, which was just starting to bloom. The clipped box hedging at the base of the arch echo the colour nicely too.

I also loved these ornamental bowls of fruit which framed the steps. I could happily have taken them home. 

Trained arches of fruit trees are quite a feature of this garden. There are several long tunnels of apple trees. As well as providing structure and decoration to the garden, these features also make it quite easy to pick the apples.  And this shady seat was covered in pear trees, pruned into the right shape. Very lovely. Practical and delicious.

There are many tributaries of the River Avon flowing in this area. One section of the river flows the full length of these gardens, taking on a different character as it passes by each section of the garden. One side of the river bank here has been allowed to grow wild so that the flowers will attract wildlife.

This seat is so tiny only the fairies could use it. Or maybe a squirrel.

Beside the house the river overlooks green pasture where sheep were happily grazing. This ancient landing stage was built so that the occupants of the house could moor a boat. The shallow, clear waters are famous for trout fishing.

At the beginning of the 19th century the owners created a Japanese garden. The tea house is set in a very peaceful setting beside the river. 

They say that the garden looks very lovely when the leaves on the acers turn red and gold in the autumn. This section of the grounds look very charming and it is lovely to wander amongst the green shade of the Japanese garden, with the river running through it. However I think it looks slightly strange where this section suddenly meets the English garden. The Nikko bridge looks a little peculiar in this picture. 

The flowers growing beside this stream were very pretty. So fresh and green.

On one side of the house there was this charming formal garden. Right along this path of ancient limestone flagstones plants were growing between the cracks. They had not actually been planted there but had gradually seeded themselves there over the years. We call this plant 'Lady's Mantle' or 'alchemilla mollis'.

There were two parallel rows of trees on each side of the path. This produces a very attractive structure to the garden I think, especially on a sunny day like this, when the  shadows cast by the trees add to the geometric effect of the design.

Beautiful pink and yellow roses climbing up the weathered brickwork of the house. If you want to visit Heale House, it is located about 7 kilometers to the north of the wonderful ancient Cathedral city of Salisbury, in the south of England. It is open all year round ( except for some holidays).

 Details of Heale House can be obtained by visiting their website

http://www.healegarden.co.uk/

It is also worth visiting in early Spring when a large display of snowdrops and aconites is also supposed to be very beautiful.