Two big expanses of water, created over twelve years ago, from a slow moving water course that drained the land at the bottom of the valley. The two large pools offered scope for naturalising native fish, and many exotic and native water plants, forming the heart of the lower garden at the bottom of the valley.

Memories of a sunny day in high summer, with a teak bench under the Laburnum tree in the Yellow & Blue Garden.

Along Hermitage Walk, in a sheltered spot among the trees, is a slate topped bench.

After a summer growing good crops, an outdoor dining chair becomes the focus to collect autumn produce.

At the high end of the Sculpture Garden is a wee seat, sheltered by a Mulberry Tree growing on the bank above.

Tucked in the Red Garden, and with a “Boy & Cat” in sandstone by Mary Kenny already seated on it, is a stone bench.

A circular sun trap with its own fountain, and just one plant, makes an entire garden. The Barrel Garden!

Tucked inside the new Japanese Pavilion is a seat for two, and an ideal spot to rest on a garden tour if a shower suddenly falls…

Above the orchard, and comanding views across the valley, is a Boat Seat! With its back (bottom) to the prevailing South Westerlies – the Atlantic Ocean is only a mile or so away - it’s a good vantage point on a blustery day…

Half way down the Wild Meadow, between two streams, can be found a tranquil bench, surrounded by primroses. There’s a view across to the early marsh marigolds happily sitting in a swampy piece of ground. In a couple of months the vegetation will be chest high and on a sunny day clouds of insects swarm in the soft light.

A bright spring day, but still little in the way of growth. What a slow start to the year. We’re replacing some of the 20 year old heathers which have expired on the slope below the new terrace. Here relaxing morning coffees are enjoyed in the weak sunshine with terrific views down the valley — if you turn the wrought iron bench round the way it usually faces!

There’s a very late start to the growing season in 2011. Snowdrops are only emerging in the middle of February. A stark bench with a slate top is sandwiched between Metasequioa glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwoods) looking across the lower water to the large urn beyond. The first seat (of many) in the meadow…

For January we bring out the snowy landscape. For the third winter in succession the snow brought problems to a garden close to the coast that in the previous ten years had hardly seen a sprinkling! Will the last of our Tree Fern collection survive? Our classic Victorian style Bench in the meadow by the Upper Water had a cushion of snow for around three weeks…