On the edge of the airport doesn't sound like a great venue for a peaceful, zen garden but that's what we found when we visited the lovely village of St Mawgan recently.
Nestled in a valley between the airport and the coast, the picture post card village is home to the Falcon Inn (food definitely recommended), a picturesque river, a pretty church, a craft shop that advertises 'interesting things' and...
the Japanese Garden!
Through a small door in the side of the gift shop, round a corner and the garden is revealed - an oasis of lush green filled with calm and serenity.
Over the bridge we went...
over a pool inhabited by very impressive carp...
after which we had a choice of meandering paths to explore further.
There were wonderful textures and leaf colours...
such a profusion of shapes and plant forms, it was a feast for the senses.
Mounds of two types of Ophiopogon...
both of them flowering,
and layers of luscious mossy stones...
trickling rivulets...
and impressive ornaments.
The use of water was lovely, from trickling water spouts...
There were lots of peaceful places to sit and contemplate...
which Mum and I took full advantage of.
We visited twice this summer once with Mum and once with my Mother-in-law. Sadly the second time it was decidedly wet so the sitting down was a little damp. However the lovely staff came and found us with lots of large umbrellas so we could carry on wandering about...
and then the sun came out! The summer weather has been random at best.
There were areas of serene raked gravel...
and beautifully placed stones.
To finish off there was a shop full of the most amazing Bonsai trees. Oaks, Ginkgos, Azaleas, Maples, Firs, large and small. It was a fantastic display that illustrated the gardens beginnings 30 years ago as a bonsai nursery. They still offer instruction and every thing you need for the upkeep of your Bonsai, I bought a sweet pair of tiny leaf clippers - perfect for picking Sweet Peas and dead heading!
It's a lovely space, the garden's not too manicured but truly peaceful and, particularly after a lovely lunch at the Falcon, one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
Lovely time spent away from the hubbub of the summer holidays.
The only thing that taxed me was making sure my zen-like photos didn't all get photo bombed by cheeky teens!!
xx
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