Hanham Court

Sunday 12 July - Having read an article in our local magazine "Clifton Life" about Hanham court I knew Ian and I would have to visit and the sooner the better. The Property is owned and maintained by the couple I & J Bannerman who design gardens and landscapes for a number of Wealthy and Aristocratic people including the Royal Family. Despite being close by (between Bristol and Bath, near Keynsham) we had a bit of trouble locating the place, but it was well worth it. We were amazed by the gardens and especially the size of the massive planters used. There were lots of boxwood hedges keeping things in order and defining the space of the garden. Roses, Delphinium, sun flowers, dahlias, zinnias, lilies and especially sweet peas were all in bloom and looking spectacular. The house itself is a bit of a curiosity, with bits of building seemingly tacked on here and there including a turret. We walked through the main gardens then round to a very unique water feature, the 'dancing crown' fountain where a small metal crown sits upon a stone in the middle of a pool, when the fountain is turned on a jet of water from the stone shoots the crown nearly six feet in the air where it hovers until after a few minutes it becomes unbalances and topple into the pool. A real treat to see. After watching the crown dance and plunge we walked pass the pond and did a circuit round the adjoining fields and orchard before heading back toward the main house to have a cup of tea and some cake. After visiting the gardens we drove down the road the Avon canal where we walked along the canal to enjoy the sunshine and watch the canal barges before heading back to Bristol.