Gardens and Gateaux – September 2023

What a treasure we have in Forde Abbey and their wonderful gardens!  Our coach party enjoyed a rewarding visit to explore this amazing venue.

First, a bit of history – Forde Abbey monastery flourished for 400 hundred years before King Henry VIII decided to help himself to the riches of the religious establishments in 1539.  After a long period of neglect it was purchased by the Lyme Regis M.P. Edmund Prideaux in 1649 to make it into his grand home.

Whilst Forde Abbey experienced modification and additions throughout the centuries, it is still possible to recognise some of the original Cistercian elements like the Undercroft, which now houses the café.  Several of our group enjoyed refreshments here and admired the complexities of the distinctive multi arched ceiling.

Those of us who chose to explore the house were duly impressed by the richness of the interior, like the substantial wooden Jacobean staircase, the intricate plaster ceilings, the Great Hall and, my personal favourite – the Cloisters; bathed in sunshine the panels of Bath stone light up and give a tranquil golden warmth while green palms line the walk.

Outside, we were dazzled by the colourful beds full of bright autumn flowers – dahlias, orange Mexican sunflowers, salvias humming with bees.  Despite the vegetable garden attracting an enormous number of cabbage white butterflies, there appeared to be remarkably little damage to the brassica plants which will be used in the café dishes later in the year along with the many varieties of ripening pumpkins and squashes.

At the front of the house people gathered to witness the turning on of one of the highest powered fountains in the UK; it rose gracefully to around 6ft, hovering tantalizingly before soaring up to 160ft amid gasps of delight from the audience.  Three members of our Gardens and Gateaux group kindly submitted to being photographed in front of this spectacular sight.

We were blessed with a beautiful afternoon to explore the many areas of the gardens and arboretum.  I was happy to sit on a swing seat and admire the mix of cosmos and wild flowers gently waving in the spiral garden before a quick trip around the temptations of the plant nursery and shop until it was time to return to the coach load of contented visitors.

Jenny Lancaster, Convenor