Wednesday 8 April 2015

Beautiful Camellias at Chiswick House

A few weeks ago I had a very Nice Day Out at Chiswick House and Gardens in west London.

In the gardens is a huge conservatory (300 ft long!), built in 1813, which is home to a historic collection of camellias.


Each spring (when the camellias are blooming) there's a Camellia Festival, when as well as viewing the camellias and learning about the history of the collection you can also purchase some of the varieties for your own garden.

I didn't really have an opinion about camellias one way or the other before visiting the Festival, but oh my goodness they are so beautiful. Prepare to swoon:

 

Utterly enchanting - and a wonderful, cheerful burst of colour in the early, still chilly spring. 

This year's Camellia Festival has now finished but the camellias are still blooming - do go along for a visit if you can (the gardens and conservatory are free to visit, hurrah), or make a note in your diary to check out next year's Festival. I highly recommend it!

P.S. You can read more about my visit to Chiswick House & Gardens here.

4 comments:

Eight by Six said...

that looks like a great place to visit I never knew it existed and not far from Kent.

bairozan said...

Camellias are so beautiful! Must have been a delightful day out!

Bugs and Fishes said...

Amanda - the gardens are so lovely! Well worth a visit :)

bairozan - it was so great, just what I needed after a long, rather grey winter.

Somerset Wedding Girl said...

These really are so stunning, there is nothing better than seeing a garden in full bloom!