Summer in the Garden at Moseley

Summer view of Moseley from the Knot Garden — Moseley from the Knot Garden

Step into the garden at Moseley to get a glimpse of a useful 17th century style space, where everything had a use.

The Orchard

All of the apple trees in our orchard are heritage varieties which would have been available for eating, cooking and cider making around the 17th-century. If the winter Wassail has been successful, then the flowers will now be setting fruit ready for harvest and Michaelmas celebrations in late September.

The Herb Garden

In the 17th century, herbs were used for many things such as medicines, flavourings, pot pourri and dyes. We grow them today for use in the tearoom, in workshops and jam making, and for use in the house as pot pourri. This space smells amazing in summer, so be sure to visit it in the garden and find plants both familiar and unfamiliar.

Medlar Tree at Moseley — The Medlar tree, knot garden and arbour at Moseley

The Knot Garden and the Arbour

Take a look around the corner to find the knot garden, a 17th century garden accessory installed purely to show one's wealth. The best view of this is from the attic window in the house, but as you walk around and through our newly refurbished arbour you can admire it from all angles.

Have a look at the medlar and quince trees to see what this year's produce looks like. If the wassailling at the beginning of the year worked, we should have a fruitful summer!

Moseley Old Hall Quoits Game — Have a go at quoits and other games

Games on the Lawn

If the weather is fine, have a go at playing Quoits or Nine Pins on the lawn next to the orchard. You might even be able to play cup-and-ball, a toy so popular that even Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed playing with it, as did her courtiers!

Sweet Chestnut at Moseley — Our Sweet Chestnut is around 300 years old

Explore the Woods

Through the garden gate and past the woodland lawn lies King's Walk Wood, where you'll find our mud kitchen, den building area, and treehide. Let your imagination run wild, or just enjoy being out amongst nature.