Exploring Sompting Abbotts Prep School

Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School is a historic West Sussex independent school in Sompting, near Worthing and Steyning. It sits in parkland of 30 acres, which includes woodland, chalk grassland slopes and a pond. I am walking with headmaster, Stuart Douch, and Sarah Monaghan, journalist, around the exterior of the magnificent Victoria Gothic building to understand […]

Identifying the trees of Mortimer Forest

Trees of Mortimer Forest

Julia Hartley and I are identifying the trees in Mortimer Forest close to the Shropshire/Herefordshire border in England, near the town of Ludlow. The forest covers a hilly terrain, including the marilyn of High Vinnalls which rises to 1,230 ft. Mortimer Forest was an ancient hunting forest. It is a remnant of the ancient Saxon […]

Exploring Mortimer Forest in Herefordshire

Mortimer Forest

Julia Hartley and I are up on Mortimer Forest on the Shropshire/Herefordshire border in England, near the town of Ludlow. The forest covers a hilly terrain, including the marilyn of High Vinnalls which rises to 1,230 ft. Mortimer Forest was an ancient hunting forest. It is a remnant of the ancient Saxon hunting forests of […]

A Look at West Dean College Walled Gardens – Part Two

Walled Garden Part Two

This is part two of my exploration of West Dean College Walled Gardens with my friend Richard Suggett from the Veg Grower podcast. But we have slipped away from the chili celebrations to explore the walled gardens that are also open to the public. Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean Gardens […]

Exploring the Sussex Prairie Garden – Britain’s largest!

Sussex Prairie Gardens

Today I visit Sussex Prairie Garden near Henfield in West Sussex. I meet up with the owner, Pauline McBride, who takes me around and shows me the incredible garden. Sussex Prairie garden opened to the public in 2009. They are Britain’s largest “Prairie,” or “Naturalistic,” garden, with eight acres of stunning garden to roam around. […]