Kilver Court Secret Gardens

The humans took me and my grand human to Kilver Court Secret Gardens in Shepton Mallet today. They are hidden behind a shopping centre, and after paying the entrance fee in the garden centre shop (though bears go in for free) we went in through a gate and were quite surprised. We found a big lake with lots of little duck houses dotted all over it, and a huge viaduct in the background. It was very pleasing to the eye.We walked through some woodland and came to a little house where people get married, though no one was getting married so I was able to pose for a selfie.As I toddled along the path I was surprised to spot a flamingo on the lake. It was quite pink but I don’t think the camera captured the colour very well.It is just as well that I am not keen on swimming, as there were several signs requesting visitors not to go into the lake.Close up the viaduct was enormous. Trains don’t use it anymore. I wondered whether it would be possible to walk across it. I was drawn to a sign mentioning bears in the herbaceous border.The rudebeckia was looking splendid.On the lake shore there was a thatched boathouse with small tethered boat. I climbed in for a photo shoot.Further on round the garden some of the paths were quite challenging for my short legs. This is the view from a little bridge going across the stream. It was very peaceful.After all the walking I was jolly pleased to find a seat where I was able to snooze for ten minutes before exploring further.The dahlias were in full flower and looked very bright and cheerful. I’d like some dahlias in our garden at home but it is already full of plants!There was a ‘knotted’ garden with lots of low hedges that I particularly liked. I think I look quite tall in this photo.I couldn’t resist climbing up on a wall to smell the sweet peas.On the way out I bought some new plants that would just about squeeze into our garden at home. The yellow daisies (osteospernums) were reduced in price as it is the end of the season and they don’t always survive winter if the weather is too cold. My humans thought we’d give them a chance.As soon as we got home I planted them in our front garden.