.JPG)
I motored straight to the Mount Stewart estate, County Down, on an afternoon during the autumn.
 |
| Glasshouses near the Rose Garden in 2014 |
It was a splendid autumnal day. The sun shone for most of the day.
The roof was down on the two-seater.
 |
| Rose Garden from the Dairy in 2014 |
I was eager to revisit the estate's walled garden, dairy and former rose garden.
 |
| Entrance to the Dairy and Rose Garden in 2014 |
The last time I paid a visit to this part of the demesne was about thirty summers ago.
The Rose Garden was originally a cut-flower garden within the 18th century walled garden.
Edith, Marchioness of Londonderry DBE, created the Rose Garden in 1925.
It contained Lady Londonderry's favourite, scented roses.
The Rose Garden was laid out as an Elizabethan garden, with narrow beds and flagged paths.
A large urn stood in the middle of the Garden.
 |
| Rose Garden ca 1960 |
The Dairy was built for Edith Londonderry in order to make butter, cheese, yoghurt, etc.
The roof of the old ice-well on Rhododendron Hill was re-used for the Dairy.
 |
| Dairy in 2014 |
A statue of Hermes stood within a fountain in the middle of the Dairy (above), its purpose being to cool or humidify the air.
The inner face of the Dairy is flat; whilst the outer is curved.
The decorative tiles are of a raised texture and may be Spanish in origin.
THENCE I strode back to the formal gardens surrounding the mansion house.
Charming little hedgehog steps (I originally figured incorrectly that they were for frogs) are in place at several ornamental ponds.
First published in October, 2014.
