zondag 23 november 2014

The garden on top of the hill























































It was at the beginning of June when I visited Kiftsgate court gardens in Chipping Campden (England) with my friends. I have wanted to visit Kiftsgate for a long time, but somehow it never happened before. I thought Kiftsgate would perhaps be a disappointment, having seen Hidcote which is close by (and absolutely beautiful) two days earlier, but not so. Kiftsgate is different and less grand, but it has lots of charm of it's own. 

The country house and gardens lie on top of a hill, with far reaching views of the surrounding countryside. The garden is part woodland, has some beautiful borders and terraces and even a modern water garden, which I think was out of tune with the rest of the garden and therefore not on my blog :-). You may like it though!

At the time of our visit, the late spring/ early summer borders just started to bloom. I can imagine that later on in the month it would have been quite a spectacle. I was sorry to have missed the famous Kiftsgate rose in all it's floral splendour. The bush was full of tiny buds, bot no flowers yet. 

Just before leaving, my friends and I met a lovely couple. They gave me their email address, but unfortunately I lost it. If you recognise them, will you please let me know? I would love to send them their photo! They both looked absolutely radiant

There is so much more I can tell you, but if I do, this will be a very loooong post. If you are interested, please have a look at the website of Kiftsgate court. You can find all the information that you need there.

Have a lovely week!

Madelief x













 

52 opmerkingen:

  1. Wat prachtig is het daar Madelief en je foto's zijn natuurlijk weer schitterend. Hier zijn wij niet geweest,kende het ook niet. Wel hebben we Hidcote bezocht en nog drie andere geloof ik .Allemaal even mooi.
    Ik wens je een fijne week.

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  2. Hoi Madelief,
    Wat is dit ook weer een prachtige Engelse tuin. Vol met super mooie hoekjes... En dat uitzicht... echt geweldig.
    Wat jammer dat je het emailadres van die mensen bent kwijtgeraakt, misschien is er iemand die hen herkent, dat zou mooi zijn...
    Ik wens je een heel fijne avond en een heerlijke nieuwe week,
    Liefs,
    Mirjam

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  3. Absolutely beautiful madelief and so typically English. we have a TV programme on at the moment were one of our gardeners views gardens in the UK in a hot air balloon …. you would love t and, I always think of you when I watch it. She went to Hidcote the other day.
    ….. and, it would be too much for me to have recognised the couple after you posted photographs of my friend's cottage, wouldn't it ?!!!!!
    Sending love from the UK. XXXX

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  4. Wat heerlijk om zulke kleurrijke foto's te bekijken, nu de bomen buiten steeds kaler worden. Wat ziet dit er allemaal even mooi uit. Heel misschien gaan we volgend jaar naar Engeland, wie weet kunnen we dan deze tuin ook bezoeken. Gezien jouw enthousiasme weet ik zeker dat het de moeite waard is!

    Ik wens je een fijne week, Madelief! Veel liefs, Ingrid

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  5. Oh, that is fabulous. With my own wooded hillside to somehow manage I think I must go to Kiftsgate and get some ideas!

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  6. A breath of spring air Madelief, thank you! You are absolutely right; that couple looks truly happy. Perhaps their smile reflects their pleasure at meeting you and your friends? I think so, surely!

    Stephanie x

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  7. Mooi hoor ...prachtige tuin madelief ..heerlijke post heb er van genoten....liefs Ria fijne week..x!

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  8. wow, was für tolle bilder!!! einen schönen abend wünscht angie

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  9. Oh my GOODNESS! What a wonderful place! I can't imagine the glory of living in a place like that. Lucky people! Thanks so much for sharing photos of it, the flowers gave me a lift in the middle of a thunder storm here in Oregon, USA. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. The gardens are lovely and you have photographed them perfectly. Sad when you lose contact information, isn't? have a great week.

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  11. Good evening Madelief!

    What a gift and a surprise to see a JUNE-inspired post in November, as we Americans prepare for our Thanksgiving holiday. We have had rough weather so far, so seeing this enchanting and absolutely perfect estate and gardens is a warm surprise. Doesn't nature just pick you up?

    Sending you warm hugs dearest Madelief! Anita

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  12. This is such a treat on a cold Sunday evening. You always bring the sun with you.

    Xo J

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  13. It's a beautiful place Madelief. I like the pools in the garden. The flowers are lovely. The couple look so happy together in touring the place wearing their hats. Have a wonderful week.

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  14. So lovely to see flowers, dear Madelief! I do love the pots of flowers lined up on the stone railing - so charming! I particularly love the blue flowers <3 I hope you find out who your lovely friends are. Thank you for sharing this pretty visit with us. Wishing you a beautiful week, my Dear. Hugs xo Karen

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  15. Ich glaube, ich muss mal wieder nach England!
    LG
    Tinka

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  16. Really stunning. Thank you for this beautiful blog. I will use one of your pictures to link to this blog on my Pinterest Bucketlist of Holiday Destinations UK

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  17. Heerlijk Madelief! Ik ben er ook geweest en alle leuke herinneringen komen boven. De roos Kiftsgate was uitgebloeid toen ik er was en gesnoeid. Wat een monster!!! In de nursery heb ik nog twee heel leuke planten gekocht. Ze bloeien elk jaar in de tuin. Zulke souvenirs, daar kan ik er niet genoeg van hebben! Groetjes,

    Hetty

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  18. Looks (and sounds) like you had a wonderful time - which is great! You have certainly photographed it all beautifully.

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  19. Wat een heerlijke foto´s van Kiftsgate Court Madelief. Ben er ook geweest in mei 5 jaar geleden nadat we Hidcote gezien hadden, het ligt op loopafstand van elkaar. De tuinen zijn natuurlijk heel anders, maar Kiftsgate spreekt veel meer tot mijn verbeelding, ik vond het prachtig.
    Jij hebt er weer schitterende foto´s van gemaakt.
    Lieve groet,
    Janneke

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  20. Hi Madelief!
    This is so lovely! Your photos bring it to life for us. Thank you!
    I love that dear lady's hat.
    Wishing you a beautiful start to a brand new week! Off to work now...
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  21. Oh, zo te zien is het zeker zo mooi als op Hidcote.
    Prachtige foto's en heerlijk om dan weer even terug te blikken.

    Fijne week
    Liefs lia

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  22. You go to so many places in my country that I have never visited!! :) Lovely photos.
    M x

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  23. Madelief, as November reaches out to December, you've given us a treat with these views of such a beautiful English garden in full flower. Hoping that the happy couple in your photo will be able to contact you again.

    xo

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  24. Dear Madelief, you manage to visit such lovely places and this one is no exception, what lovely gardens. I particularly love the photo of all the flower pots on the balcony. I make notes of these lovely places you've visited so hopefully one day I can make a trip there too. Sadly I don't recognise your lovely couple...Have a lovely week. Sharon x

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  25. Beautiful Madelief, how lovely to return to springtime! :)
    V x

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  26. Prachtig .... nog een reden om snel terug te keren naar de Cotswolds! Anita xx

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  27. Oh Madelief,
    I would love to go there!!!!
    Beautiful!!!!
    Lovely hugs
    Molly

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  28. Wat een heerlijke post weer, ik krijg nu al heimwee naar de zomer....kan niet wachten! Wat een mooie tuinen zijn er toch in Engeland. Lieve groetjes en fijne week.

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  29. Wat een mooie kleurrijke foto's Madelief! Dat laat je toch verlangen naar het voorjaar. Ik hoop,van harte dat het lukt om via je blog het emailadres te achterhalen. Fijne week, Pascale X

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  30. Oh so beautiful Madelief. I especially love the pictures of the pots on the railings.

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  31. Adembenemend mooi Madelief, dit is zo rustiek en zo puur, daar kun je alleen
    maar van genieten.

    Lieve groet, Eefie

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  32. Wat een lustoord daar, je hebt prachtige foto's gemaakt en ik geniet er steeds van. Was het maar vast voorjaar dan kan ik weer aan de gang in mijn eigen tuin.

    Lieve groet, Hermine

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  33. Such a refreshing sight....sunshine and beautiful flowers at Kiftsgate! Your photos are a delight, with so many different views to enjoy. I adore those pots of geraniums....and I can't wait for next spring and summer to enjoy planting again! Thanks for a lovely post dear Madelief.
    Happy week!
    Helen xox

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  34. Het ziet er prachtig uit en heerlijk om daar te zijn met zulk mooi weer. Jammer dat je die speciale witte rozen gemist hebt. Misschien komt het e-mailadres nog weer boven water en kun je de leuke foto toesturen. Fijne week, lieve groet

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  35. Dearest Madelief,
    Glad that you enjoyd this special garden as much as you did; for the biggest part that is...
    It always will be hard to perfectly time for blooming roses but you got lovely photos in general.
    Hope you will figure out who these people are.
    Thanks for your thoughtful wishes for Thanksgiving.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  36. Oh Madelief, another beautiful and lovely post! The english countryside is really amazing and I would love visit some places there...thank´s for sharing this with us!
    Have a happy week,
    Titti

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  37. Hallo Madelief,

    so wonderful.I love the garden!!!!!

    Greatings send you Conny

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  38. I have always longed to visit here, it looks so beautiful. Sarah x

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  39. It is years since I have been to any of the Cotswold gardens, all so beautiful in their different ways. This is such a heartlifting spirit warming post to find on a gloomy November day, thank you x

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  40. Dear Madefief - as soon as I saw the first photo I guessed that you were on my doorstep. Kiftsgate has a different charm to Hidcote, but is equally lovely. The vistas over the surrounding countryside as you wander down through the garden are particularly fine.
    Love the ladies hat by the way.

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  41. Oh Madelief, what stunning photos, just what I needed on the very grey and gloomy day that it is here in Kent today. Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Jane xx

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  42. Dear Madelief - What a beautiful tour! I've been to Hidcote but not to Kiftsgate. Definitely want to go now. Cheers

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  43. The gardens are beautiful! Now I must see that rose. I do have a weakness for roses.
    How I would love visiting this garden one day.

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  44. I so love your photographs! You always capture the colour and the texture so well. Hidcote and Kiftsgate are my two of my favourite gardens. I'm so glad that you enjoyed them too. x

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  45. Dear Madelief,

    Your photos are always so beautiful and Kiftsgate garden is wonderful and hope to one day get to visit these gorgeous gardens. Thanks for sharing.
    Hope you have a great weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  46. Oh, the blue colors of the shirts those people are wearing, how GORGEOUS! Blue is my favorite color in all its hues from aqua to cobalt!

    Lovely friend, good morning from snowy Minneapolis, Minnesota! I just saw your dear comment, and I thank you for visiting. You asked about my dear mother...funny thing, she was not Italian! She looked just about everything else other than what here origins were: MEXICAN. I too was confused as a child when I looked up her, for her skin was very fair, as well as my father's, who was also Mexican. But on his side somewhere about 8 generations back, his family went to Mexico from SPAIN. My mom's family too had origins from the old world. So now I have people asking me if I'm French (must be my language skills) or even Asian!!! But we Mexican-Americans can look totally different on the wide spectrum of features from a very beautiful DARK complexion (lots of indian) to very fare with blond hair (some of my family) thanks to German and Spanish blood.

    Thank you for asking! Many hugs to you dearest Madelief! Enjoy your weekend, Anita

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  47. merci de se partage
    on est éblouis par toutes ces fleurs aux multiples couleurs
    bon dimanche
    tendresse
    et un grand merci de ton passage sur mon blog
    edith (iris)

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Thank you for your lovely words.