Is this Ealing's Most Beautiful Garden?
Nick Gough opened his doors for the National Garden Scheme
Every so often you stumble across something in Ealing so completely surprising it just takes your breath away.
At the weekend I joined dozens of others fortunate enough to view the surburban garden of Nick Gough (aka The Distinctive Gardener) on York Road in W5.
He'd thrown his doors open as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS) which raises money for a variety of good causes.
Nick moved into the property just two years ago and says when he first viewed the house it was the garden that 'cast a spell' over him. It had been left overgrown and neglected but when he first got to work on it he discovered a plaque which read ' George and Marjorie Carter lived here from the time of their marriage in 1931. They designed, cultivated and loved this garden.'
He says the Carters had cared for the garden for 65 years and knowing this was all the inspiration needed to bring it back to life.
Nick's done a quite remarkable job. Every variety of plant and flower imaginable is on display and this large corner plot on different levels is just a fascinating and most beautiful place to spend time.
Sitting by the pond listening to the soothing sounds of the bubbling water I was lulled into a deep sense of tranquility, my attention was drawn to a bee doing what bees do best, then a butterfly merrily flitting from plant to plant, uplifting stuff which really does help you forget about the many woes of the world - even if just for a moment.
Thanks to Nick Gough for sharing this beautiful garden
It's been proven that getting back to nature is good for the health - I think Nick's garden really should be put on prescription!
Annemarie Flanagan
26 July 2016