Summer in the garden at Stoneywell

A brown meadow butterfly sits on a purple thistle in a meadow at Stoneywell, Leicestershire. — A brown meadow butterfly on a thistle, Stoneywell, Leicestershire | © Susan Guy

With four acres of garden and 11 acres of woodland, Stoneywell's grounds were designed to produce colour all year round, so there's always something bright to discover as you explore. Find interesting garden features, seasonal highlights and wildlife to spot in the garden here.

The garden at Stoneywell was created with the intention of bringing colour all year round, so you’re bound to see lots of flowers in bloom as you explore the winding paths surrounding the cottage.

From unfurled bracken in the woodland to splashes of pink foxgloves, the garden at Stoneywell shines in the summer months. The meadows are bursting with wildflowers, the paths scattered with late-flowering rhododendrons. Explore the twists and turns of the sloping grounds to discover our seasonal highlights.

Seasonal highlights

Chilean Flame Tree

Stoneywell is home to two Chilean flame trees. With fire-red blossom, these spectacular shrubs are hard to miss – and their annual bloom is one of the “wow” moments of the season. Take a wander to the Well House to spot this magnificent shrub, which bursts into flame in early summer.

Heather

From late July, the cottage is nestled amongst a carpet of pink and purple heather. Watch butterflies flit from shrub to shrub, and look out for bilberries freckled across the hillside.

Bright red flowers in bloom on the Chilean Flame Tree at Stoneywell, Leicestershire — The Chilean flame tree at Stoneywell. | © Susan Guy

Eucryphia

From August, the honey-scented Eucryphia hums with the sound of happy bees. Towering over the orchard, this evergreen tree is scattered with beautifully delicate white blossom.

Wildlife

With long, shiny bodies, slow-worms are frequently spotted at Stoneywell, and are often mistaken for small snakes. These legless lizards are harmless, and can be found under logs or in the long grass. You may also find common lizards, often basking on sun-soaked rocks.

As dusk approaches, bats can be seen flitting across the sky, usually around the stables where they make their roosts. There are two species of bat residing at Stoneywell: the common pipistrelle, which is the smallest in Europe, and the brown long-eared bat.

Kitchen Garden

Bursting with seasonal produce, the Kitchen Garden is at its very best during the summer. Take a wander between the beds to find sweet peas, green beans, potatoes, beetroot, and reams of berries. Take your pick from the produce stand in the stableyard!

A small common lizard basks on a rock surrounded by moss at Stoneywell, Leicestershire. — A common lizard basks at Stoneywell, Leicestershire | © Susan Guy

What else is there to see?

Stone fort

At the highest point of the garden sits a stone fort, built by Basil Gimson. It provides spectacular views of the city of Leicester and the surrounding countryside, including Bradgate Park with its tower and memorial. Have a peek into the stone fort on your next visit.

Tennis court

As you stroll around the garden, pause a while on the neatly kept tennis court, built in 1903–1905. Sydney Gimson was a keen tennis player and had the court built by blasting the rock, levelling it several times, then seeding and erecting the fencing.

Today the tennis court is a great place for a spot of boules, or a picnic on a sunny day.

Bright yellow flowers in bloom in front of a dry stone wall in the Kitchen Garden at Stoneywell, Leicestershire. — Lysimachia in bloom in the Kitchen Garden at Stoneywell, Leicestershire. | © Susan Guy

Guided garden tours

Learn more about Stoneywell’s colourful garden on a guided tour with our passionate team of garden volunteers, who have a wealth of knowledge and passion for Stoneywell.

Enjoy a 45-minute stroll through the four acres, taking in the sights and scents of the plants and trees. To enquire about garden tours, please call before booking your visit.

A view of the north end of Stoneywell, an Arts and Crafts cottage, with a sloping lawn on the right and a bare tree in front of the house on the left

Book your visit

Please note you need to book tickets to Stoneywell. You can book for today up until 8am. Every Thursday time slots will be available for the next 14 days.

Check availability and book