We visited Compton Acres Gardens in Poole Dorset with our granddaughter Lianne, her husband Dave, and our Great-Grandsons Ronny and Bradley.
We entered the beautiful gardens, wandering along a woodland pathway filled with some wonderful statuary. Every piece of work had a reflective word as a title and a sale price on an attached notice. These creative works of art captured my imagination and put me in a frame of mind for the natural pleasures to come.
We entered the beautiful gardens, wandering along a woodland pathway filled with some wonderful statuary. Every piece of work had a reflective word as a title and a sale price on an attached notice. These creative works of art captured my imagination and put me in a frame of mind for the natural pleasures to come.
First we arrived at the Italian garden. A formally laid out garden, with masses of red geraniums bordering a well-constructed water feature, with fountains and water-lilies. There was some mathematically precise topiary and the beautiful Italian villa. There is some brilliant statuary in this wonderful garden including Bacchus in his domed temple, and two Wrestlers at one end of the water feature.
Passing a wishing well, where young Ronny asked his Dad to lift him up to get a closer look, we were able to photograph the stunning floral display around the Italian villa. Many young couples choose this beautiful location to get married.
Passing a wishing well, where young Ronny asked his Dad to lift him up to get a closer look, we were able to photograph the stunning floral display around the Italian villa. Many young couples choose this beautiful location to get married.
We then wandered along a pathway to the wooded valley past a statue of a wood nymph among some stunning tropical shrubs. We crossed over a deep valley on a very sturdy wooden bridge, where we stopped to take some glorious photographs of ourselves and an impressive waterfall.
Following the stream along a wooded pathway past "Joy", another super statue, we came across a pool full of Golden Carp. Lianne and the boys had fun dipping their hands in the water to attract the fish. Ronny posed in front of yet another statue, this was an African native symbol.
We stopped for a very welcome cup of tea with drinks in a very pretty little cafe with a wonderful view of the gardens. This gave everyone time to sit and enjoy a well deserved rest.
From the cafe we continued along a winding path following the waterway with many more impressive golden carp swimming and searching for food to capture our attention. We arrived at some roughly hewed stone steps leading up to a picturesque statue. The two boys were unable to resist climbing up to the top with their Daddy.
From the cafe we continued along a winding path following the waterway with many more impressive golden carp swimming and searching for food to capture our attention. We arrived at some roughly hewed stone steps leading up to a picturesque statue. The two boys were unable to resist climbing up to the top with their Daddy.
We came across many more nooks and interesting corners, with more interesting little pools, full of fish and colourful flowers. We wandered past many more examples of some very creative statuary set in among the lovely plants by the side of the pathway. We were taken by surprise when we saw a live Terrapin sunning itself on a rock in one of the pools, it was sitting so very still, there was some debate whether or not it was just another statue.
Arriving next at the well laid out heather garden we photographed a pair of almost life-sized statues in period costume, set among the heathers and evergreen conifers they added an extraordinary depth to the picturesque garden.
Arriving next at the well laid out heather garden we photographed a pair of almost life-sized statues in period costume, set among the heathers and evergreen conifers they added an extraordinary depth to the picturesque garden.
Next we passed a very impressive stand of beautiful Bamboo plants as we arrived at my personal favourite corner of Compton Acres, the Japanese garden, with an authentic Tea House and a thatched summer house. This is a very peaceful pleasurable garden set around a beautiful lake full of Golden Carp fish. With exotic Eastern symbolic statuary and impressive Acacia trees, splendidly arrayed in unique subtle colours, a sense of peace is everywhere.
Ronny found some stepping stones across a small corner of the water and with the help of his Dad began teasing the Golden Carp fish that were swimming just below the surface of the water.
Ronny found some stepping stones across a small corner of the water and with the help of his Dad began teasing the Golden Carp fish that were swimming just below the surface of the water.
We were all ready to head for home after experiencing a very pleasurable
day soaking up the wonders and the peaceful atmosphere generated in these superb gardens. The trail up and down the wooded valley with the wondrous waterfall and the pools and water features. Exotic plants, and splendid statuary, Golden Carp and a real live Terrapin will hopefully live for a very long time in the minds of our two Great-Grandsons Ronny and Bradley.
day soaking up the wonders and the peaceful atmosphere generated in these superb gardens. The trail up and down the wooded valley with the wondrous waterfall and the pools and water features. Exotic plants, and splendid statuary, Golden Carp and a real live Terrapin will hopefully live for a very long time in the minds of our two Great-Grandsons Ronny and Bradley.
I have to admit that I first visited these magnificent gardens some thirty years ago and they are exactly as I remember them. Thankfully of course there have been many improvements in many corners, but the layout is as I remember. This day brought so many very precious memories to the forefront of my mind. I am very pleased to have re-lived them again, this time with Margaret.