The Cottage Herbery

I was really excited to visit the Cottage Herbery. The couple who had lovingly run it for nearly 40 years had only stepped away a few years ago, so getting the chance to be there felt like something truly special. It wasn’t just about seeing the place—it was about hearing their story, feeling the spirit of what they’d built, and soaking up even a little of the wisdom they’d gathered over a lifetime spent working with plants and sharing their passion.

All set for an afternoon immersed in herbs, I was surprised—pleasantly so—to arrive and find a small field bursting with cut flowers and row upon row of Irises. It turned out this beautiful display was the work of India, the couple’s daughter, who now runs her own floral business. She’s developed a real passion for Iris breeding, with many of the striking varieties coming from the United States. It was an unexpected twist to the visit—and a lovely surprise.

Kim and Rob ran the herb nursery for many years, travelling to plant fairs, giving talks, and even winning awards at the Chelsea Flower Show. So it was a real treat to hear them share stories about the history of the site. And while I’d come expecting herbs, what I discovered instead was something equally inspiring—the transformation of what had once been a rather plain and functional farmyard into a beautiful gravel garden. Listening to them talk about the process, with all its challenges and creativity, was fascinating.

The farm itself once grew hops, and the rather industrial-looking structure in the yard had housed a hop-picking machine. Today, it’s been beautifully transformed. A garden now surrounds and softens the space, with glorious rambling roses weaving their way up the old framework. Their delicate blooms and graceful stems stand in striking contrast to the barn’s sturdy metal supports—a perfect blend of the past and present, where beauty and utility meet in the most unexpected way.

It was fascinating to hear about the couple’s vision from the outset—the hard work they had put into clearing and planting the site, along with the thoughtful reasons behind their plant and design choices. What I especially appreciated was that they had undertaken all of this work themselves, with only occasional help from friends.

The gravel garden featured a wide mix of perennials and annuals—some quite unusual, and others more familiar to me, such as Papaver, Lavandula, and Verbena bonariensis. Care had clearly been taken to ensure the planting looked beautiful from every angle, sitting perfectly within the space. The garden was further enhanced by a stunning backdrop of farm fields and distant trees.

Whilst Kim described in detail how the planting had come about, Rob was equally enthusiastic in sharing how much wildlife had been attracted to the garden during its transformation. He was very observant, keeping a log of different bird species, and even had an interesting piece of equipment that could detect a variety of bats, many of which could now be seen around the garden.

Although the garden wasn’t particularly large, it had three distinct sections. The outer area featured a gravel garden, while behind and extending into the barn were grass pathways and borders filled with perennials. A cloud-like Lonicera nitida hedge cleverly framed different views throughout the space. There was even a natural-style swimming pool, beautifully integrated into the design and perfect for a dip when the weather allowed.

What really struck me was Kim and Rob’s enthusiasm—and the passion they still had, even though they had stepped back from running the herbery itself. They kindly let us wander into the herb section of the garden, which consisted of a series of polytunnels and greenhouses packed with herbs and plants, many of which were for sale. There was also an amazing selection of books available, as they were trying to downsize their collection. I was thrilled to purchase one of the herb books that Kim had written herself—and felt especially lucky to have her sign it for me. For those of you who are interested the book is called "Herbs - The Secret Properties of 150 Plants".

It was a beautiful afternoon, and the weather was perfect. I spent quite some time wandering through the herbs and exploring the various parts of the garden, realising that anything is possible in gardening if you have passion, vision, and the tenacity to see a project through. Here, what was once almost an industrial environment had been transformed into something truly beautiful—yet it still retained elements of its past, with some of the original structures thoughtfully preserved as a subtle nod to its history.

In most gardens I visit, I usually take away a plant, a clever planting combination, or a new design idea. But this garden was very different. What I took away instead was a powerful sense of passion, drive, and commitment. The ability to hold a vision of what a place can become—regardless of where it starts—and to have the tenacity to see that vision through, was truly inspiring.

The herbery and its garden served as a reminder of what I should keep in mind as I continue to restore my own garden, which was quite neglected at the outset. Holding on to that sense of vision, passion, and perseverance feels all the more important now.

Guineveres Garden | Garden Writer