You’d expect a botanical artist to feel the need to be surrounded by nature, and that’s exactly what drew Gael Sellwood and her husband, Michael, to this house and garden in rural Hertfordshire. ‘We weren’t even looking to move,’ says Gael, who first came here on a dull, dark, late-November day in 2007. ‘We were in a very lovely thatched cottage nearby but as soon as we saw this place, with the house at the centre of its plot and surrounded by fields and woodlands, we just fell in love with it.’ An imposing holly tree ‘absolutely laden’ with berries seemed like a good omen, as did several other interesting, mature trees around the property – an ancient pear, a lovely mulberry, some ball-clipped topiary and a small orchard to the rear of the house. ‘The garden had been laid out in the 1930s and 1940s by a retired army major and it had a sense of being contained, whole and safe. And, as much of it was grass, it wasn’t particularly daunting or challenging,’ says Gael.
It was also extremely beautiful, as Gael and Michael could only fully appreciate the following spring, when they moved in to find tens of thousands of daffodils lining the drive and under the trees in the orchard. The best was yet to come, however, when just a few weeks later the blossom broke. ‘I remember feeling absolute wonder,’ says Gael. ‘I still do. At around 400 years old, the pear tree is probably one of the oldest in the county – possibly the country – and when covered in blossom it looks as though it has snowed.’
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A day in the country
The TV presenter and author stays close to home in the Wye Valley, walking at dawn and ending the day making supper for friends
MINIATURE MARVELS
Tiny but mighty mini bulbs bring sparks of colour to springtime garden borders and containers
UP THE GARDEN PATH
Affordable and easy to lay, these DIY path ideas will add form and purpose to your garden, providing a fast track to planting, focal points and outdoor rooms
Bring the family
Rediscover the simple life with these gloriously back to nature staycations that kids and adults will adore
'Handmade glass looks watery and beautiful'
As anyone who surfs will know, despite the crash, chaos and roar of the ocean, there is a strange moment of peacefulness when you ride a wave.
Knock on wood
Transform damaged and dingy wooden flooring with expert techniques to return its structure and shine
COLOUR CONFIDENT
Breathe new life into your kitchen with a colourful design from Magnet
STOCK UP
The best ideas for maximising food storage in the kitchen, from walk in pantries to woven baskets-and everything in between
STORAGE STORIES
Faced with cluttered rooms and overflowing cupboards, four homeowners found smart solutions to help them get more organised
Installing fitted wardrobes
Everything you need to know about integrating built-in storage into your bedroom