Waterside Garden

Another beautiful sunny day. How different it makes things feel.

Merlin and I often pass along this little stream on our walks - as we did today. As you can probably see from its straightness, it is a man made channel diverting water from the River Ems down to Lumley Mill. In the early 1800s the mill ground corn for biscuits which were baked on the site and then sent down to the fleet in Portsmouth dockyard. The mill burnt down in 1915 and this gentle waterway now provides a relaxing place to walk and a home to wildlife.

I particularly like the garden which runs alongside the stream. It has been sympathetically designed to make the most of its position and includes a gazebo, quirky bird boxes and art installations. It does sometimes flood but it’s designed with this in mind.

Wishing you a relaxing Friday evening.