Arts and Crafts Trust property reopens after winter break
THE National Trust has reopened Stoneywell after the usual winter break for conservation work. This year reopening will be extra special after the property featured in the BBC1 programme ‘Make it at Market’ in January.
Stoneywell, in Ulverscroft, was designed by Arts and Crafts designer Ernest Gimson as a rural residence for his older brother Sydney.
Furnished with Arts and Crafts pieces made specifically for Stoneywell, it became a permanent home for the Gimson family in 1953 and remained relatively unchanged. It was the Arts and Crafts connection that caught the eye of the programme producer and, after a visit, Stoneywell was selected as the perfect location.
The programme was filmed in April and May last year when more than 30 aspiring craftspeople came to Stoneywell to be mentored by Dom Chinea and a group of experts in how to turn their hobby into a professional business.
Jennie Lloyd, Site Manager said: “We are excited to reopen the doors to Stoneywell so visitors can see the beauty of the property that inspired
the crafters. They loved spending their time at Stoneywell working in the gardens, with the cottage proving to be an equally inspiring backdrop as it emerges organically from the bedrock”.
The programme captured the real beauty of both the garden and the cottage at Stoneywell, and the time of year it was filmed meant it really was a kaleidoscope of colour.
With spring just around the corner, the start of this colour palette begins with the golden carpet of daffodils that are now starting to flower.
The Gardener at Stoneywell, said, “It’s a delight to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the garden at any time of year but it’s just that little bit extra special when you stroll along the garden paths and are greeted by hundreds of yellow trumpets bobbing brightly in the breeze.”
The vibrant splashes of colour continue when the daffodils start to fade, as they are then replaced in late spring by a carpet of bluebells – a sight and scent not to be missed. This builds to colour crescendo when the majority of rhododendrons (of which there are 150 named varieties burst into bloom.
Every visit supports the National Trust’s work at Stoneywell, helping to keep this unique cottage and garden special. With all this temptation of spring colour and variety how can you resist, and with every visit helping to support our work to keep Stoneywell special, make sure you visit soon.
The vibrant splashes of colour continue when the daffodils start to fade, as they are then replaced in late spring by a carpet of bluebells
Stoneywell is open Friday – Monday until 30 October 2023. Due to its small size, all visits must be booked in advance by visiting www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ stoneywell.