We have driven past the entrance to this one-acre gem many times on the way to our caravan in The South Lakes peninsula.  It is tucked away only a few feet from the A5902. Last summer we finally spotted the NGS sign on the gate. After a look in the leaflet and a phone call we went for a visit. It was truly wonderful.

The garden of Langholme Mill (built 1650) near Lowick Green was the passion of the late Dr Walter Gill. He moved into the mill in 1949 after he and his architect brother John had transformed the mill and its buildings into a family home and moving his doctor’s practice from nearby Penny Bridge. They bought the immediate surrounding land from a farmer.

The brothers created the garden around Langholme Beck, a gushing stream that originally powered the mill’s water wheel. It was rough pasture covered with brambles but Walter transformed it into a mysterious woodland glade with masses of rhododendrons, Japanese azaleas, camellias, acers, astilbes and the like. It was a true labour of love taking the best part of 50 years to create.

Pines, spruce and birch were planted in the early days giving the basis of the mature, secluded woodland feel that is evidenced today. The trees create the shade necessary for the mass of spectacular hostas that crowd lots of the corners and pathways. There are all the varieties from golden, large-leaved, white variegated and speckled, and also large clumps of bamboos.

Hand-crafted wood and slate bridges
The garden by the house is a tad more formal with box topiary and clipped cotoneaster. A small lawn leads to the narrow winding paths, made from local slate, that criss cross over hand-crafted wood and slate bridges that span the rushing beck beneath.

The thing that struck us most was the perfect harmony of the planting. Everything looked to be in just the right spot. You could stand in any one place and just be enchanted. Then there was the  sound of the running water cascading over and between the rocks. It was mesmerising and beautiful to hear. A different sound from being on a stony beach when the tide is coming in but these are two of my favourite natural sounds both found in this part of the world. The ambience just transports you to a better place. Any traffic noise beyond the wall gets magically shut out. 

This was all down to the late Doctor’s vision and plantsman’s skill. He was inspired and fond of visiting Scottish gardens in Perthshire and the west as he thought the terrain and climate were similar and therefore a good guide to which plants would be suitable in Cumbria.  He often returned with cheaply bought old plants that he would re-invigorate and incorporate into his plan. Muncaster Gardens further up the Cumbrian coast were also a source of inspiration.

Today the marvellous work of tending the garden is carried on by Dr Gill’s daughter Judith, a retired nurse and her husband Graham. They have another gardener in to help out when the need is great, but it is obvious that they both love this place as much as the brothers Gill did before them.

It has been a National Garden Scheme garden since the late 1970s. Because of its size and limited parking it is better visited as part of a very small group. Judith recalls, with a smile, a coach load of 40 very keen Dutch horticulturalists arriving. They had loads of serious questions - and they all wanted a cup of tea and cake too! A very busy day.

It was with great sadness when Judith informed me that Storm Arwen took down five of their largest trees and devasted much of the garden in late November last year. The garden will not be open this year and we can only wish them all the best with their restoration efforts. 
Dave Oswald

Dr Walter Gill on one of his hand-made bridges

Dr Walter and brother John

Judith and Graham Sanderson