Belle Grove’s naturalistic grounds encourage wildlife while the pretty courtyard gardens offer privacy & tranquil al fresco dining: each property has its own old brick-walled garden attractively planted with climbers and exotics, including jasmine, oleander, figs, vines, kiwi fruit and olive trees. In addition, both Granary and Upper Barn have south-facing ‘garden rooms’, lovely places to sit and enjoy the sun, whether behind glass or on the paved terrace in front.
With their gates shut, all the gardens are secure and suitable for children and dogs.
The Upper Barn has the largest expanse of grass for playtime but all the properties (except the Gate House which now has a fully paved sitting out area) have an element of grass. (As mentioned under ‘Young Families’, there is also a large shared grassed area open to all for ball games etc. ) As may be expected, the two single-bedroom properties, the Gate House and the Stable, have the smallest gardens but what they lack in size, they make up for in charm, especially now that the plants are becoming well-established and beginning to burgeon in all directions. NB: The Coach House is walled on 3 sides; the 4th side is enclosed by a railing, so that the view across the pond is not impeded.
On a practical note, garden tables and chairs are provided along with gas BBQ and each garden has a clothesline (and pegs), which can be pulled out from the wall when needed and then tucked away again.
Beyond the gardens, enjoy a stroll around the ponds (if you have children please check comments under Young Families) and take a walk around the large field at the rear (a 45 minute perimeter walk, very useful to nip out with the dog) as well as the public footpaths around and about.
Belle Grove has been and is a working farm, the vintage agricultural machines about the place a clue to its past.
“Even the farm machinery graveyard provides an interesting landscape!”
We have no livestock but the surrounding fields are cultivated, so sometimes guests may be conscious of machine activity, especially around harvest-time and the subsequent ploughing and drilling of seed. Cows may be heard in the distance from one direction & cockerels and goats from the other, all from neighbouring farms/smallholdings.
Occasional bangs in the distance usually mean rabbit shooting or an automated gas ‘scarecrow’. We pursue an ongoing programme of tree planting and have looked to preserve wildlife by designating areas of farmland into a Stewardship Scheme to include wildlife ‘corridors’ and other conservation activities.
