Gracious Grayswood Gardens Gaze
18 people attending
2 places left
While most of us in ODL are probably perfectly happy experiencing the vibrancy, opportunity and anonymity of the city, some might yearn for the calmness, spaciousness and neighbourliness of a village. If you come on this event, you'll sample the latter for one idyllic summer afternoon.
Ian Nairn, writing in The Buildings of England: Surrey, briefly describes Grayswood as: " A trim, triangular green, largely Victorian, in picturesque hilly country near the Sussex border." The National Open Gardens website additionally invites us to "Visit Grayswood's gorgeous gardens - all very different, [from] informal cottage style, [to] larger more formal and varied village gardens. Visitors will have an illustrated garden trail to follow through the village [and] there will be homemade cakes and tea at the Village Hall." In the past there have been a display of classic cars at Grayswood garage and a plant sale.
There will be no set plan for visiting the 10 or so gardens and we won't go round in a big group: you're welcome to go wherever and with whomever you choose. You're also welcome to leave earlier or later, but there will be an agreed meeting place and time should you wish to depart as part of a group, perhaps to catch a particular train. In fact, you don't even need to book on this event to see the gardens of course; we'll just happily bump into you in the village! If you do come by train (or car but want a little more exercise), Haslemere Railway Station is a hour's walk from the village, so we'll have a pleasant walk through the swish suburbs and rough heaths while viewing Hindhead Common to get there. (Please see the route here.)
Dogs:
I love having dogs on my walks and this one may be suitable for them. Some gardens might admit them on leads, others might not. I'll enquire. Being Surrey I imagine that they are. They'll enjoy the walk to the village.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
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(Picture credits: Footpath through Swan Barn Farm, Haslemere: Photo © Derek Voller (cc-by-sa/2.0); Stoatley Cottage, Haslemere, Surrey: Photo © Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0). A Perfect Summer's Day (1 to 4): Photos © Basher Eyre (cc-by-sa/2.0). These pictures are copyrighted but are licensed for reuse under Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 2.0 and are here attributed to their copyright holders.)










What to bring
Footwear and clothing:
Wear walking shoes or trainers as the walk is short, flat and dry. If sunshine is forecast, apply suncream and perhaps wear a hat; if rain is, wear a jacket.
Money:
Please bring £6 to see the gardens (proceeds to Dementia Support). Cash isn't mentioned as preferred, so card payments should be OK. A garden 'passport' can be bought at any participating garden or at the main car park. Please also bring cash to buy any plants and refreshments.
Dogs:
I'm not sure if dogs are permitted. It might be that dogs on leads are allowed in some gardens. I will enquire.
Food & drink
There are different options for food and drink. You could have:
- Brunch before you come;
- A packed lunch and drink with you to eat on a bench or on the green;
- A pub lunch at The Wheatsheaf Inn in Grayswood (booking recommended: online or by calling 01428 288260 (Wednesday to Sunday only));
- Tea and cake at the village hall.