Dunsland Walled Garden

I went to Dunsland garden centre yesterday for my Asparagus plants and returned this morning for 3 more and with my camera.I had seen the old walled kitchen garden yesterday and today asked for permission to take some photos.
Dunsland is a big garden centre on the eastern side of the city, it overlooks the harbour and is a big old rambling area. It is a great place to browse and look because no matter how many people are there it is never crowded and the owner Peter Dowdall is nearly always on hand with advice. I took lots of photos so they will have very short captions!
The entrance is through the shop.


The old walled kitchen garden is in the process of being restored and it is stunning even in the middle of construction!Old and new live side by side, this is an old cold frame which now houses the cucumbers, pumpkins etc.
Rhubarb makes a statement in raised beds as a border
Tiered beds with peas and salad crops against the old wall.
Caned archway between beds ( very copyable)!
Circular raised bed with sweetcorn,onions and salad crops among the flowers
Pots and containers of all shapes and sizes
These boots were made for planting!
This is a shaded area with a mirror in the wall under the ivy reflecting the small pond. This was made a number of years ago in conjunction with a TV programme if I remember correctly.Peter has also assisted the Ground Force team when they were in Ireland.
Part of the old Victorian greenhouse railed off.I asked what the arches were and it was how they heated the greenhouse way back. Turf or manure was packed into these spaces to generate heat above
Square yard planting with a difference, marigolds mark out the beds instead of box hedging or timber
Simple composter of netted wire and poles in the centre of this raised bed.
Italian look to this part of the garden. Old walls have been reused where possible
I wonder what tales these antique garden seats could tell of croquet on the lawn and moonlight trysts?!
Green lamp posts, topairy reaching for the sky
After wandering around I made my way back to the shop where these beautiful baskets were on sale
Some of the produce on sale.
An old dog basking in the sunshine, Sam is 14 and arthritic.A lovely lady called Jay serves a 'dacent' cup of tea and scones and you can sit out in the sunshine and wonder will you go back and buy that plant you wanted.An old Clematis Montana is ready to burst into bloom. Nothing here is shaved and tidied but allowed to grow naturally over walls and buildings.
The decking area and you can just see the 'Potty' sheds in the background.

Overlooking the garden centre is this old tower, known as Fr Matthew's Tower.It has been renovated and is now a stately residence.It is a landmark on the eastern side of the city.
Dunsland now host a farmer's market once a month and sells the produce from the garden with plant sales etc.There are lots of plans for the future to make it even more attractive as a garden centre and a great day out.