Ormeley Lodge

Unless you’re a member of the Goldsmith clan, or a favoured friend, it’s unlikely you’ll get a frequent opportunity to visit this wonderfully impressive listed, Queen Anne house, in its glorious setting — a stone’s throw from Richmond Park’s Ham Gate.
I was invited along, by a friend, to attend a special weekend afternoon opening here, in late June. Disappointingly though, we were only able to visit the sizeable gardens as part of the Gardens Open for Charity event.
There was, however, plenty to explore: including a traditional English country walled garden, a sweetly-​touching pet burial ground, impressive wildlife statues, a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, an aviary with happily chirping inhabitants, a resplendent fruit and vegetable garden with thriving climbing loganberries and courgettes. I particularly enjoyed the wilderness garden with its stunningly colourful displays including masses of vivid blue cornflowers and vibrant red poppies.
There was plenty of room, and time, for adults to wander at their leisure, to imagine life there; also for accompanied children to run-​around and expend their energies playing on the swings and trampoline. A very English summer afternoon’s delight.