‘It’s a trip into the mind and vision of the head gardener’

OXFORDSHIRE WATERPERRY GARDENS,

I love the feeling of calm you get when you walk into Waterperry. I’ve never had quite the same sensation elsewhere; I think it’s because the first section is narrow and then it widens out, so it feels like you’re going on a journey. Many other gardens are wide and imposing from the outset, which can be overwhelming.

Going through the garden is like taking a trip into the mind and vision of the head gardener, Pat Havers. It almost guides you, following the snowdrop walk up to the end of the Long Border – Waterperry is known for its asters, so it’s full of colour in autumn, but even in January it has a gentle structure and interest to it. You don’t have to choose where to go.

I like to visit the orchards and gently mooch through the meadow. Then I go into the woodland and look at the bridge and the river. There are more snowdrops there and the sound of water is really calming.

I save the vegetable garden until last! The visit starts off focussed and mindful and the excitement builds until I finally get to the bit that’s my real passion – I love growing veg so it’s my treat at the end!

Waterperry has influenced my planting style. I’m not trained in design so I play around and my technique is quite free-form. As a former ladies’ horticultural college, it’s organised but nothing is overblown or pretentious.

The borders are well ordered and have things in the right places, but they’re still loose and naturalistic. It’s taught me to be a bit more structured while still designing in a sense of freedom.

As a garden, it’s really accessible and it feels both safe and inspiring. It’s a place that I go for me rather than for work and all the experiences that I’ve had there have been good ones. Getting into that space is wonderful,

I can immerse myself and relax; everything else stays at the gate!

■ Waterperry Gardens, Near Wheatley, Oxfordshire, England OX33 1JZ; www.waterperrygardens. co.uk; tel: 01844 339254.