St. Nicholas, Richmond

The gardens at St. Nicholas were laid out by Bobbie James almost 100 years ago. James is perhaps best known for the prolific climber, rosa Bobbie James. James's garden here is believed to have inspired the gardens of his friends Lawrence Johnston, architect of Hidcote Manor, and Sissinghurst creators Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson. Head gardener Sue Bell gave us a delightful private tour as our kind host, Keith Schellenberg, took his daughter to the train station. The garage housing some of the vintage Bentleys that Schellenberg has raced was opened as well. The hedge featured in one of the pictures below is over 30' tall. As our host pointed out before departing, the view of the abbey ruins in the last photo hasn't changed much, if at all, in a thousand years. I wish I'd taken more pictures but we were too busy enjoying ourselves.