A labour of love (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A labour of love

By Hayley Court »

GUYERS House Garden in Corsham was, not so very long ago, a barren weed-ridden turf.

The tranquil setting of Guyers House is complemented by a pool surrounded by spring flowers (18858/10)

When Guy and Clare Hungerford took over Guyers Lodge in Pickwick Road in 1989 they transformed it into what is now an increasingly popular wedding location.

The six-acre garden boasts extensive lawns, walled gardens, an orchard, herb garden and, from time to time, peacocks and other free-roaming wildlife.

On the south of the main adjoining property, Guyers House, are wide lawns leading down to a pond.

High walls curving around the boundaries enclose colourful herbaceous borders backed by climbing roses, pear trees, Moroccan broom, clematis and freemontodendrons.

When Mr and Mrs Hungerford bought the property they at first ran it as a residential conference centre, only later realising its potential as a wedding venue.

Mr Hungerford said: "When we acquired the house, the south garden and kitchen garden were largely overgrown, and the garden to the north and west had a herd of bullocks in it.

"Over the last 15 years we've planted yew hedges which are now at least eight feet tall."

There are now more than 40 wedding ceremonies performed at Guyers House every year, with some couples travelling from abroad.

The Hungerfords are continuing to develop the garden, adding yew walks, gazebos, a further pond and restoring the kitchen garden.

Mr Hungerford added: "We grow a large variety of vegetables, soft fruits and picking flowers for the house.

"Climbing and rambling roses also grow around the buildings along with wisteria, jasmine, clematis tangutica, figs, peaches and a grapevine."

The garden has been open under the National Gardens Scheme for ten years. The scheme has been raising money for charity for over 75 years, helping a range of good causes, from cancer relief to training National Trust gardeners.

Guyers House Garden will be open to the public with a £3 adult entry fee on June 4 from 2pm.