< PreviousLike a fairy tale With supreme box hedges, veteran trees, an abundance of fruit and vegetables, and the legendary 150-year-old Black Hamburg grapevine, Hackthorn Hall has gardens that one could admire for hours upon hours. 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 11:30 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 21GARDENShe splendour of the gardens at Hackthorn Hall cannot be denied. Spreading around the late 18th century Hall, and church beside it, they extend out to around 15 acres. Within the grounds there are formal gardens, which lead you gracefully down from the Hall towards the lake, woodland gardens, and walled kitchen gardens. Talking to Frances Buckle, administrator at the Hall, to learn more about the garden, we found out that roughly a quarter of the garden is apple orchard, another quarter is open grass and the rest contains what is a truly extensive mixture of flowers and vegetables, along with a small rose garden. The Hall also boasts a number of mature and veteran trees, areas laid out with a pleached hedge walkway, and sections designed by award-winning landscape and garden designer Bunny Guinness, which include an Italian style garden and delightful box hedging. A variety of glasshouses can be found in the gardens, which Frances notes are south facing. Talking about what is grown in them Frances said: “In one of them is our famous grapevine, one is for flowers and house plants, and another hosts peaches, apricots and nectarines on the walls and then there are tomatoes and aubergines and more grown in the front.” Keith, gardener at the Hall, added: “Yes, we have the legendary Hackthorn grapevine and fan trained fruit trees on the walls which grow everything ranging from cherries to pears to apricots.” The grapevine is certainly a stand out feature of the garden, and a rarity that one must see. Planted in 1868, the Black Hamburg vine is the largest privately owned, and second oldest grapevine in Britain. The Hall celebrated the 150th anniversary of it’s planting in 2018. While talking with Keith about what he thinks is the most exceptional feature of the gardens, he said: “Historically it would be the vine, but the for me best feature is the box hedge in the hall gardens. We call it the serpent hedge!” 22 ÁT20-23.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 11:30 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYGARDENSAnother key feature of the grounds that must be highlighted is the walled kitchen garden. This is one of Frances’ favourite places. She said: “The walled kitchen gardens are outstanding in every way, and personally they are by far the nicest I have seen in Lincolnshire. The wall almost creates another climate, so as you walk through from the outside into the garden, everything gets warmer. It’s a lovely place to be.” There are an absolutely stunning range of flowers at Hackthorn in a plethora of different colours. To discover more about the flowers across the gardens and how they chose them, we asked Keith for more detail. He said: “In the kitchen garden we grow a full range of seasonal flowers. As we go through the seasons they come and grow. The sweet peas come and the sweet Williams, then we move on to rudbeckias, chrysanthemums and dahlias. As the season goes on, we move on, and we basically look to have flowers for 52 weeks a year if we can.” Dedicated to the gardens, Keith works full-time on them. When asked about his work, he said: “It involves grass cutting, pruning, trimming, training and quite a lot of box hedge cutting - topiary. As it is such a large area I work out in the garden as much as I can and for as long as the weather persists.” No garden is easy to take care of, of course, and when asked if he has faced any difficulties maintaining the garden, Keith highlighted the presence of aphids, which can have a real negative effect on a garden, causing everything from decreased growth rates to wilting. He said: “You get your usual pests which cause difficulties. There are plenty of aphids around. Though with the hot weather last year there’s been a great presence of ladybirds which have kept the insects down a little.” With the gardens having been established for so long, we wanted to know if there were any new plans afoot. Keith said: “On the kitchen garden front we are always trying out different flowers and vegetables - the new varieties as they appear - to see which ones are best. But on the formal beds up at the hall, they are pretty much traditional so will stay the same. Though in general for the gardens, they are becoming much more of a wedding and events venue - that’s the next project really, now that the gardens are looking better. We have strings of lights above the beds and with all of the flowers, it is quite pleasant, and the gardens themselves are pretty unspoilt, quiet and private, so this move makes sense for us.” Indeed, the Hackthorn gardens and Hall have become a standout wedding venue as of late, as Frances revealed: 20-23.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 11:30 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 23GARDENS“We’ve had lots of weddings here recently. We had a teepee in the walled garden and have had weddings in marquees up on the front grounds of the hall. They’ve been quite unique. In these really beautiful surroundings and with how stunning it looks at night with the gardens all lit up, it is like a fairy tale.” The gardens are a fairy tale indeed, and one would love to simply get lost in the grounds of Hackthorn Hall.Hackthorn Hall Gardens will be open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 2nd June 2019 from 1–5pmPatio BlindsOutdoor Clear PVC Roll-Up Blind Enjoy Your Garden All Year Round! Outdoor Roll-Up Blind• Great for enclosing outdoor spaces • Protects from wind and rain • Easy installation • Fixings Included • Easy cut to size • Extensions, joiners & other accessories available Sizes available: 240cm Drop x 90cm, 120cm, 150cm, 180cm, 210cm, 240cm, 270cm, 300cm T: +44 (0)1469 575804 e: patioblinds@renco.co.uk www.renconets.com Renco Nets, Pelham Industrial Estate, Manby Rd. Immingham DN40 2SE 0.75mm Heavy Duty PVCvisit our online store on or contact us below20-23.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 11:30 Page 4Having an outdoor space to socialise in can be a great addition to your property, and also you can relax as you do not have to be worried over spilled drinks or food on your carpets or furniture. If you do not want to have a completed makeover then there are some small changes you could make which could have a big impact. Giving your outdoor table and chairs a lick of paint can not only give them a lease of life but also add colour to your garden. The latest trend is to have bold colours in your garden and if you do not have green fingers you can do this using your furniture rather than plants. Adding colourful and patterned cushions can also provide this. Painting your fencing or adding pots can also be a good way to add colour. Growing something along your fence can add depth, while plants in pot can also help to add structure and height to your garden. Tall colourful plant such as Agapanthus will help with this. Pots can also be used as dividers to create sections of your garden. You can then move them if you find you use your garden differently or need to change it depending on who and when you are entertaining. Pots can also allow you to add colour and plants to your garden without having to dig it up and create beds. A water feature can add calm and tranquillity to your garden. You can buy a huge variety of water features now that a self-contained and do not require earthworks in your garden to install them. Surround it with some cleverly positions pots with plants which have a variety of colour and © Shutterstock / Dora Zettmaking the garden part of the home24 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYWith spring around the corner, we can start to look forward to warmer and lighter days and evenings. With increasing numbers of us deciding to have a staycation rather than having a holiday abroad the garden starts to become the main room of the house, as Ed Fuller from Fullers Forestry and Landscaping explains. 24-25.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 10:44 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 25height and you have a fantastic feature. Water features are also known for their ability to increase air quality and humidity and decrease noise pollution by drowning out noise with the sound of running water. However, you need to make sure that you like the sound the water feature makes, therefore make sure you go and listen to it before you buy. If you don’t like the sound it makes, then it will become annoying very quickly. For example, a heavy sound like a bath filling up won’t be relaxing and a small trickle could be irritation. Get the flow and therefore sound of water that is right for you. Your garden can be given a new lease of life with just a few changes and make it a great place to be relax in over the summer months. Specialised Services in Garden Design Landscaping and Tree Maintenance Backed by a highly-skilled and experienced team, we’ve built our reputation on an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutions FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONSFULLERS Forestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 info@fullersforestry.co.uk l www.fullersforestry.co.uk www.landscapinglincolnshire.comAround the garden•Protect new spring shoot from slugs •Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes •Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as Allium, Frecsia, Begonia, Crocosmia and Bearded Iris •Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) and buddleias •Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain and remove pond heaters •Open the greenhouse or conservatory doors and vents on warm days •Get rid of slimy patches on the patio but using a scrubbing broom and cleaning fluid or a pressure washer •Sow sweet peas •Trim winter-flowering heathers as the flowers disappear, to prevent the plants becoming leggy •Keep feeding the birds © Shutterstock /gowithstock © Shutterstock / nalinrayphi24-25.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 10:44 Page 2walks26 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYLincolnshireWe are of course talking about our regular walks article which not only affords a chance to improve our fitness levels, but also give us a better understanding of our wonderful county. And this month’s route 11 mile route from Tattershall to Woodhall Spa, we think is bound to please, with plenty of wildlife to see and a railway en-route too. We begin our journey in Tattershall Market Place, taking a course where the Great Northern Railway’s line used to exist, between Stixwould Junction and Bellwater, which was built in 1913 and closed in 1970. Of similar fame and glory is the old Horncastle Canal, which, although not particularly long, was much celebrated when first built and resulted in the entire town celebrating with a bank holiday. The canal finally opened in 1802 and with no fewer than 12 locks, is said to have taken 13 years to pay off the If, like me, your new year resolutions didn’t make it past February then fear not, we’re not alone. But, with spring just around the corner, or so we hope, what better time than to explore our countryside and improve our fitness, without the intensity that other exercise forms bring. 26-28.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 10:46 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 27LINCOLNSHIRE WALKS£45,000 debt incurred in its construction. St Margaret’s church at Roughton is another worthy mention a Grade II listed building of 13th/14th century build, still open for worship we’re told and with 18th Century East window depicting Jesus with children, flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Music. The church itself is made of similar materials to Tattershall Castle: greenstone (local sandstone) and Tudor brick. As one might expect, there’s many other sights on this route too as the Spa trail is a multi-user route that runs between Horncastle and Woodhall Spa. Part of it follows the line of the old PHOTOS COURTESY OR RICHARD PICKSLEY28 ÁHorncastle and Woodhall Junction railway, which opened in 1855 and closed to passenger trains a century later in 1954. The trail is dotted with sculptures along it length and wildlife fans certainly won’t be disappointed as the redundant canal is a veritable haven for wildlife, so don’t forget those cameras. THE ROUTE Leaving Tattershall Market Place along Lodge Road, we reach Lodge Farm and turn right at the footpath sign, then right again behind the last barn. At the field corner we bear left along a track and, at the end, bear right for 120 yards to a fingerpost and footbridge. Crossing over the railway and turning right along a fenced path we then cut the corner of an arable field (for just a few yards) bringing us alongside Tattershall Carr Wood. We head forward to a footbridge and once there, turn left along a hedged path. At the next fingerpost we turn right for Tattershall Thorpe’s Blue Bell inn. Taking the footpath almost opposite, we cross a field which takes us to the right-hand hedge. From the far corner, a track leads to a metal gate and the local information board. Descending steps, we 26-28.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 10:46 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRE WALKScross a footbridge above a lagoon and come to a footpath sign near a metal handgate. We proceed through a series of fenced paths, eventually joining a quarry track at another handgate. Still keeping ahead and when the track splits, we veer right. As we reach a junction, we go through the gate opposite where a stony footpath leads to a footbridge. Continuing beside a wire fence to a second bridge we then follow an obvious field-edge path to a road and turn right into Kirkby-on-Bain. Bearing right at the inn we walk a further 100 yards then go left to cross a bridge over the Horncastle Canal. From a hand gate, we bear left again to soon rejoin the canal embankment. Following this for 1¼ miles, we cross a lane at Red Mill Bridge, and continue to a footbridge half a mile beyond Haltham Lock. We cross the canal once again to another footbridge, climb a nearby stile and head towards another stile, at trees ahead of us. Once over the stile, we turn right along the field edge and cross another stile before veering half left to a third stile at a road. Turning right through Roughton village we venture for another mile and meet the B1191 Horncastle/Woodhall road at a “T” junction. To our right, some 20 feet from Martin Bridge, a path descends to the Spa Trail/Viking Way. We follow the Spa Trail for just over two miles to the road at Sandy Lane, Roughton. Then turn right and follow this for 300 yards before taking the signed footpath (Viking Way) on our left. Our narrow path develops into a track across Woodhall golf course. After 1¼ miles, with the clubhouse to our left, we turn left and immediately right to reach Woodhall along the final section of the Spa Trail. Please note: in order to return to our car, there’s a regular bus route back to Tattershall, but readers should check times before embarking on this walk. FACTFILE START: Tattershall Market Place MAPS: OS Landranger 122 (Skegness) • Explorers 261 and 273 DISTANCE: 10¾ miles • 17.5 kilometres REFRESHMENTS: Choice of inns, cafés etc in Woodhall Spa 28 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY26-28.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 10:47 Page 3ORDER FORM Yes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazine for the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1. Personal Details:First name: Last Name: Address: Town: County: Post Code: Tel: Mobile: Email: Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT card Name as it appears on card: Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / Other Card Number: Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip): Expiry Date: Amount Authorised: Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions, Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Make cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group& Call now to subscribe on 01472 310301 8 or order online www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 Total Price: £27.55Subscribe today4 great reasons to subscribe... 3Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range... • Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more… 3First 3 issues only £1! 3FREE delivery to your door 3Receive your copy before it hits the shops or Scan QR Code clcLinT ssshi’sOCTOB£2.95 BER2018 iFL c s eliciousl AutumnGardenHHomes De ArtistsLocalFashionA ardsaALincolnshirewDeliciouslyDiningDinininco EventsUpcomA i OLNSHIRETODAY.NEToungearsy WWWLINCe30+ y BLMwww.blmgroup.co.uk T £2.95 F www.blmgroup.co.uk eeYeNewT earJANUA£2.95 ARY2019 NeN oooeY uo 2019t ed re happyreaders anew yearall ourappyewwishingershappl ourreadehingallon fitnessNew ye2 n businesFamily OLNSHIRETODAY.NETTOLNSHIRETODAYNEToungearsy WWW.LINCWWWLINCe30+ y BLMwww.blmgroup.co.ukFirst 3 issues for £1Looking for a great gift idea? A gift Subscription is the perfect present that lasts all year round!29.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 10:48 Page 1Next >