Divine inspiration for your garden

Broadfield Court, which is at Bodenham, near Leominster, boasts mature and landscaped gardens set in tranquil north Herefordshire countryside.

It is the home of Mark and Alexandra James, who have run the property as a multi-faceted enterprise for several years, acting as a venue for weddings, conferences, outward-bound activities and catering in its award-winning cafe.

At this time of year though, it is the gardens which tend to become the main attraction, set as they are against the magnificent stately home.

"This has been a particularly good year for the garden with all the flowers prospering and the walled vegetable garden flourishing," says Mrs James.

"The David Austin Rose Garden has always been a major attraction - with 37 varieties there really is a lot of choice to look at and sniff - and they are all looking really sumptuous at the moment.

"The herbaceous borders are packed with delphiniums and opium poppies. In World War Two this used to be an opium farm and some of the poppies have remained and they look wonderful.

"Hollyhocks are also looking stunning at the moment, as are the verbascum. I've noticed that lots of people are drawn to the border by the tennis court which has a cream cloud of roses sitting above a purple haze of cat mint."

One of the popular corners at Broadfield Court is the sensory garden where blind visitors can smell the roses, lavender and other scented plants.

There is an excellent example of a walled vegetable garden which, Mrs James says, "is bursting with all sorts of berries, plums and other fruit, while the vegetables are having a great year."

The walled garden is the main supplier of ingredients for the Court Cafe which is situated just a few yards away - "we do try and source all our food products as locally as possible," explains Mrs James.

For further information about the gardens, the Court Cafe or Broadfield Court in general, ring 01568 797483 or visit www.broadfieldcourt.co.uk