So far as we can tell, our cottage dates back to around 1520.
It was built as a Tudor Hall House. The present cottages, ‘No.1 and No.2 Highway Cottages’, would have been a single open building with no first floor with several families living together along with all their limited possessions including animals.
Conjecture is that the families were farm workers tending the land and sheep for one of the local landowners as their forefathers had done for centuries. There are remains of a Roman Villa at nearby Coldrey.
Over the years the Hall House was divided into two and a large chimney stack and fireplaces with bread ovens were constructed and a first floor added. The property then allowed for single family occupancy. Highway Cottages is presumed to have been a tenancy of Highway House on the London to Winchester turnpike.
Until quite recently the cottage had a limited sized garden. The current (pun) overhead power line would have been outside the rear boundary. Truly a cottage garden with its own well and refuse disposal, as is evidenced by the occasional artefacts unearthed.
About thirty years ago, the then owners purchased more land, by acquisition of some surrounding farmland: substantially increasing the overall area to about ¾ of an acre. The beech hedge was planted on two sides of the enlarged plot and the first of the property extensions was undertaken. A new driveway was created and the oak framed garage constructed. Further extensions in the 1980’s created the current property, slightly modified in 2018!
Faith and Gordon took over the property and garden in early 2013. As vegetarians (with the occasional fishy addition) the ambition was to achieve self-sufficiency. The acquisition of hens was resisted and apart from the purchase of mushrooms and with the help of three freezers this has been achieved. (Our supermarket trolley makes for interesting observation; cheese, yogurt and wine!)
The vegetable and soft fruit growing area was trebled and a five bay compost area erected. With many loads of horse manure from a lovely neighbour, the resulting well-rotted product has vastly improved the soil quality.
A mid-garden retaining wall with land drainage and raised lawn contour was constructed to overcome the winter flooding from the far end of the plot.
In 2013, new borders were created, notably the long border along the east side of the garden with large extensions to the circular lawn areas. A thirty-six square yardage of soft fruit was planted producing red and black currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries and tayberries, under protective caging.
A new orchard area was conceived with Damson Merryweather, Comice and Conference Pears, a delicious Greengage, Howgate Wonder and Bramley Apples and less successfully Tsar and Victoria Plums. Small additions to this area were made in 2023.
The pergola was placed in 2014 with walk-through paving and Wisteria, Jasmine, Clematis and Roses involved to add a fragrant experience whilst obscuring the fruit cage.
The side of the property was originally lawned with a small rockery and a few scattered shrubs, extending down to the roadside. Firstly, a yew hedge was planted in line with the front of the house, which ten years later has reached its mature height. Secondly a patio was excavated and paved, with the spoil being added to the raised main lawn (see above). Thirdly the side house area has been gradually shredded of lawn and replaced by shrubbery. The latest addition in 2023 awaits maturity.
2023 saw the creation of a pathway leading to the Malus with a background shrubbery to provide visual and wind screening. The next scheme may involve enhancement of the path surround. (this is subject to internal discussion!)
The planning and planting of the borders over the past eleven years has been due to the vision of the uber gardener, aka Faith. That, hopefully, which appears to be random, yet coordinated, is the result of much research, design and wine. The guiding principle being to have all year-round colour, texture and contour. Believe me a lot of trowel and error is involved. Some plants suffer from the soil quality and the elements, others far outgrow their quoted potential. Oh, to be a gardener!
Incorporation of traditional ‘Cottage Garden’ elements, for example Hollyhock, Delphiniums, Foxgloves and Lupins is no coincidence, enhanced by the delightful colours of Viburnums, Salvias, Ceanothus, Choisia, together with Spring delights of Snowdrops, Crocuses and Daffodils.
Later in May, the two Wisteria, one free standing, the other over the pergola are an absolute fluorescent delight, along with fellow ‘purples’: Irises Lilacs and Camassia.
As the seasons unfold, so do Potentillas, Peonies, Weigela, Sedums, Hebes then Japanese Anemones, Hemerocallis, Rudbeckia, Phlox, Roses and on and on.
Meanwhile, the ‘unter’ gardener is quietly encouraging his vegetable proteges, ready for a hoped-for fecund crop for the eager appetite.
The planning and planting of the borders over the past eleven years has been due to the vision of the uber gardener, aka Faith
