The Orangery at Dunham Massey

Last week my mother and I visited Dunham Massey and its Winter Garden which looks pretty amazing in Spring too!

The view of the Winter Garden from the Orangery at Dunham Massey
11" x 16", pen and sepia ink and coloured pencils in Moleskine Folio Sketchbook
copyright Katherine Tyrrell

The great thing about this National Trust property is that, whereas a lot of gardens close in the Autumn and then reopen in Spring, this garden and the parkland are now open throughout the year.  The new Winter Garden is the largest of its kind in the UK.

The garden contains almost 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs specifically bred for the Winter Garden. All had to have at least two of the following characteristics of interest: winter bark, flower, fruit, autumn colour or scent and sound.

My mother assures me that we used to go walking in the parkland I was a child and I vaguely remember  doing so.  However I'd never seen the house and moat close up and certainly had never visited the garden.

The Crown Imperials were absolutely splendid!

Crown Imperials at Dunham Massey

However given my recent problems with walking I was pleased to be able to take a break and have a lengthy sit down in the Orangery where I sketched the contre jour view of the doors and windows and garden beyond.

I like trying to get the colour of white walls when they are against the light.  I'm still not sure the value is dark enough but the colours of the reflected light are about right.