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When I heard that Preston Hall Walled Garden
was opening to the public during weekends in
August, and then discovered that dogs were
welcome too, I knew that we’d have to visit.
Located on the outskirts of Pathhead in
Midlothian, Preston Hall estate has been home
to the Callander family for over 200 years and is
known for its parkland and impressive Georgian
architecture, including the late 18th century
Grade A listed house and the accompanying
stable block, along with an 18th century walled
garden, which was recently restored. We visited
last Saturday, on a bright and blue-skied day.
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The walled garden is believed to have been
built in 1806, just after the the main house
was completed, and was then remodelled in
1885, at which point the garden suppled fruit
and vegetables for the main house, and there
was also a cut flower garden. The garden
continued to be used and enjoyed until the
1970s, at which point it became too costly to
maintain and over the years it fell into a wild
and overgrown state.
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Then, in 2011, the Callander family were
approached by Richard Edward, who had
heard about the derelict garden. Although not
a professional gardener, Richard was
interested in a project, and he spent the
following years restoring and transforming
this space.
 
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One of the things that I liked about
this garden is that it isn’t
manicured or pristine. It’s
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As soon as you enter the garden
your eye is drawn to these brick
structures. These are gazebos and
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I have a thing about glasshouses.
I can’t resist a great looking
glasshouse like this.
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Just as we were leaving the
glasshouses I spotted this old
abacus just leaning against a
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From the glasshouses, we headed
into the first gazebo. This part of
the garden was a highlight for
me in the textures and details.
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How about this for a view!
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And look at this hexagonal roof
detail. These are the moments I
enjoy in old buildings.
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The walled garden is open to the public for
the last weekend of August, on Friday 28,
Saturday 29, and Sunday 30, from 10am
until 4pm. You can book tickets online here.
If you’re concerned about social distancing,
visitor numbers are being limited, and these
gardens have plenty of space to explore
without contact with other people, creating
a really relaxed environment to spend a few
hours in. As mentioned, dogs are very
welcome too.
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CREATED BY

nature | coast | exploring ♡ Harris + Bracken interiors journalist 📍Scotland

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