2008 openings, in aid of the National Garden Scheme. Sunday 4th May & Sunday 8th June In conjunction with Windy Hall garden Beryl and Lynne (Mum & Daughter) came to Brackenrigg Lodge in 1992. The garden of three and a half acres was a pure wilderness of bracken, brambles and rough pasture and needed taking in hand. Beryl, who was retired, began to redesign the garden whilst Lynne continued to be kept very busy with business commitments and could not contribute any time to the garden at all back then. An underground culvert was discovered running through the grounds and it was decided to divert it. This has produced the wonderful natural water features of today. At the beginning of 2001, Lynne had more time to devote to the garden as Beryl was getting older and could not manage all the work needed to move the garden forward. Effectively, a total novice, Lynne began working on the garden full timeish in 2001. She told Beryl that if she didn’t have the garden in some sort of shape within three years they would have to move. Luckily, Lynne loves the garden and after numerous steep learning curves has moved the garden forward. She has many battles with the wildlife particularly the deer hence the heavily pruned shrubs, wire netting and bare stalks you will encounter on your journey round. Lynne is learning all the time with her planting as to what they like and what they don’t. Textbook information cannot always be relied on!! She doesn’t want a wildlife free environment, as they were here before her but, to all cohabit and enjoy all the benefits of a natural garden   without too much damage. Lynne runs an organic garden as much as is possible and runs many cultivated plants alongside the native. Areas that Lynne has developed and is still developing includes the rhyl border, the waterfall border, the roadside border, the pond, the bog garden, the woodland, the meadow areas and the specimen shrub and tree areas. Lynne still feels she has a long way to go and has further ideas she would like to put into action. She also wants to replant a lot of the perennial borders as she has made the classic error of planting the wrong plant in the wrong place. More learning curves. Luckily, Lynne has assistance to keep the grassed areas neat and tidy. Lynne also has two holiday cottages at Brackenrigg Lodge, which she manages as well as the garden. Guests are thrilled when they arrive to stay in such a lovely environment and suggest Lynne and Beryl take their environment for granted. This simply is not true. They both appreciate, every day, how lucky they are to have the privilege of living in such a beautiful area. Lynne hopes she will be able to develop the garden further working hand in hand with Mother Nature. Brackenrigg Lodge is a Tourism & Conservation Partner, currently supporting the Red Squirrel Conservation. Please click here for more details. "The gardens were wonderful and the boys have enjoyed watching the wildlife. We felt privilaged to see the deer, rabbits, pheasants and very many more birds."