A Grand Home's Gardens

A grand home needs grand gardens, don't you think?  The picturesque grounds of  "Vaucluse House" in Sydney are certainly magnificent. From the wisteria that wends and winds its way along the house verandah to green, grassy lawns and huge, mature trees. From a "Pleasure Garden" of botanical delights to a Victorian kitchen garden bursting with freshly grown food. There's so much to explore!

Let's begin our stroll at the beautiful, 1860s fountain on the front lawn. Surrounded by a bed of colourful flowers, it trickles gently into its circular pond. Beyond is more of the Pleasure Garden where we'll wander the paths for a while ...

 The fountain and its bed of pretty flowers.

An archway of roses invites you in to wander the Pleasure Garden's paths.

Just one of the beautiful roses in bloom.

Spires of purplish-blue bells.

Dozens of the tiniest pink flowers make a gorgeous cluster.

Flowering shrubs abound in this garden.

I could amble happily along the gravelly paths of the Pleasure Garden for hours, looking closely at every flower, breathing in their heady scents, but there's more delights further on. Come along! We'll walk around toward the back of the house now, past the stables and little farmyard and under the Jacarandas in all their purple glory.

 The old stables. Look at the S on top!

Some of the stalls inside the stables.

A little goat resting on the hay in the farmyard. 

Happy chickens too! 

 Shall we go along the path and through the gate?  After you!

Through that little gate, turn right and not far along is my favourite part of this whole historic estate. While Vaucluse House itself is impressive and the Pleasure Garden offered so many flowery delights, it is the kitchen garden that coloured me "green" with envy. Oh, to have such a veggie patch at my place!  Follow me!

 Lush growth in the kitchen garden.

An abundance of food!

Fresh fruit forming on a tree.

Bee hives for honey too!

And perhaps a rabbit fond of digging holes?

There is, of course, much more to explore but we'll make our way back towards the house now, past the old water pump that's just a stone's throw from the kitchen. Imagine! 

A reminder of times gone by.

I'll leave you here not far from the back door. I'm going back inside but perhaps you'll want to explore more of the grounds, turn left back at that little gate and wander happily. I hope you enjoyed our rambling walk!

Meg