The walled garden at Ickworth is much larger that the one at Wimpole. But much of it isn't in use, turned over to lawn rather than food and flowers. There are several large, disused glasshouses, that are slowly being reclaimed by nature. Lots of peeling paint, stagnant water, rust and brambles. The sort of derelict scene that appeals to many photographers. They certainly did to me.
As well as my IR camera, I also had my Fuji X100vi, which I used for some shots of the inside of the house.
I used a rare day off to make my first visit to Ickworth House. It was a hot sunny day, conditions that lent themselves to infra-red photography. Lots of subjects to choose from. Apart from the impressive main house, I particularly enjoyed the large walled garden.
On the last Sunday in April, I visited Dockey Wood on the Ashridge Estate. This is still the best bluebell wood that I know. Despite this I hadn't visited in many years. Not since before the fences went up.
At the height of the bluebell season this small wood can attract large numbers of visitors. This popularity was starting to impact on the bluebells. So a few years ago the National Trust enclosed the wood with a perimeter fence, accessed by a single gate. At peak times visitor numbers are controlled and an entrance charge is made for non-members. Within the wood, low rough wood fences delineate the paths. I fully understand the need for all of this. But the changes have removed what I considered the best viewpoint in the wood. An old cart track, which gave a lovely double lead-line, can no longer be seen.
This seems to have been a particularly good year for cowslips. I have seem them in abundance in every verge and hedgerow I have passed. These shots were taken over Easter, when I found a lovely big patch next to Grafham Water.
I recently made my first trip to Waresley Wood in a couple of years. Last spring, Waresley, like many other local woods, had been closed due to heavy flooding. This year, thanks to the last couple of months being very dry, it's open. Waresley is usually a very good local wood to visit for bluebells. But not this year. I didn't see as many as I expected. A thick cover of Dog's Mercury was swamping the bluebells in many places. Luckily Waresley has a good offering of other spring flowers. Including Wood Violets, Wood Anemones, Primroses and Celandines. I also found, what I am pretty sure is, a False Oxlip (a Primrose Cowslip hybrid). The flowers on a true Oxlip should droop more.
