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Capel Manor College is a hub of activity, in a surprisingly relaxed place, being 15 miles from central London.
Driving on the A10 the GPS said my destination was a right turn ahead, but until I saw the estate wall and entrance there was no sign of its whereabouts. It was only after the Manor gates that there was a marked change of atmosphere.
Capel Manor is hosting the Creating Landscapes show on October 25 and 26 2011 and I thought I would take you around to find out what kind of place it is.
Passing through the gates under trees as if entering into a park, we stop opposite a white van, with demonstrations in a side garden alongside the cars, people are going about their business, quietly busy.
Young students are carrying portfolios, gardeners with bent backs are working under trees, passers-by are on a quest carrying bundles of papers and a number of guided groups of people are chatting to each other. My father and I with camera and notebook in hand walked to the Capel Manor College sign.
Inside the Capel Manor College and gardens entrance, we met Mark Cook, senior gardener, leaning on the reception desk with an unhurried air about him and wearing an all-weather cap. Together, we walked through the presentation booths, or sheds as they are known in the trade, passed the notices on the display boards opposite, then outside, infront of the café, we turned right and made for the first exhibition gardens.
The gardening ideas are packed in at Capel Manor, with practice gardens that comprise of styles from Japanese, herbal and low allergen, to an outdoor classroom garden, a family friendly and some terrace front gardens including Mediterranean and Victorian.
There is every kind of water feature, many different grasses and seats in a variety of settings. There is also a Van Gogh impressionist inspired garden and a willow shelter. We could see that many gardens are previous RHS medal winners and the sponsors and designers' names adorn the signboards.
Nothing stands still in the gardens, whether that's the ripe wild strawberries on the upward allotment wall or the bugs in the insect hotel. The fresh smell from the greenhouse followed us as we walked along the linking paths.
Retracing our steps, near to the entrance, we saw the newly opened Old Manor House garden, a reconstructed ruin of the 15th century Manor of Honeylands and Pentriches, which is surrounded by a moat.
The ruin is a folly garden constructed in three parts and when finished it will explain the history of the estate. The Queen's garden area was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 2010.
The encircling moat is actually a natural swimming pool and it was here that I met Sarunas Ciplys, a Landscape Juice Network member and an employee of Anglo Swimming Ponds. He explained that the reeds and plants form a ring around the edge and take their food from the water, filtering it in the process.
Sarunas explained that students from the college often swim there. The pool smelt clean and looked still and refreshing, so very far removed from the blue tiled, chlorine filled public baths with its rippled surface. I wished I had brought my swimming costume for this peaceful space.
The 15th century fortified manor house was sold in 1486 to the Capels. Sir Giles Capel was in the service of Henry VIIIth and became knighted before being made the Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire. He surrendered the manor and its lands to the king in 1546.
Back in the reception area, Mark Cook who was also the project manager for the Old Manor House garden explained to me the layout for the Creating Landscapes show.
Patiently waiting and answering questions, it was clear that the working garden estate is an ideal backdrop for the first Creating Landscapes show. The marquee area will be between the parking and the Old Manor House garden, with a demonstration space alongside it.
Pointing to the map, Mark sketched out the area for the guided garden walks beginning from the café.
Finally, Mark headed back to an estate garden and my father and I looked at the wind catchers in the shop then made for the café.
Later, returning to the carpark, there was no sign of the van that had been parked opposite us, another job at Capel Manor had been completed no doubt.
Website: Creating Landscapes show
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