The bed has long been used as a symbol of money and power. The better a style and quality of bed, the wealthier its owner was. In Saxon and Norman times, most people slept on the floor around the fire. It was only the wealthy or those with a higher status, that slept off the floor, on beds created from … Read More
10 facts about Alliums
Bees and butterflies love alliums, as do many gardeners. Deer and rabbit, however, tend to shy away from them – and that could be due to the rather pungent aroma they can give off if the stems are broken! Alliums look stunning when planted in borders, beds and pots. However, they look their most spectacular when planted in groups. They’re … Read More
A brief history of Victorian herbalism
Herbalism or botanical medicine is one of the oldest traditions around. The Egyptians used herbs for medicine, as did indigenous healers around the world. In Britain, herbalism can be traced back thousands of years. The British Library has a copy of a ‘leech book’ – thought to date back as far as the 800s CE! Medieval lay healers used herbs, … Read More
Traditional picnics – the Victorian way
Picnics, the ideal opportunity to meet up with friends and family, enjoy an informal yet tasty meal, whilst having fun in the great outdoors. Wealthy landowners loved a good picnic, as it gave them the chance to sit and enjoy the scenery their estates gave them. However, it was the Victorians who brought picnics to the masses. Their popularity was, … Read More
10 steps to organising a Corporate Event
A corporate event needs to run smoothly and look effortless. But, if you’re looking to organise a corporate event for your company, you’ll know – they take a lot of effort and time to arrange! Whether you’re looking to organise a corporate event for your staff, clients or the general public, here are our top 10 steps to making corporate … Read More
10 Facts about the beautiful wisteria plant
Wisteria is a beautiful, delicately scented climber that graces many a wall in the UK. Ideal for training up structures, pergolas and trees, it’s a popular plant and loved by many. Here are our top 10 facts about this popular climber. #1: Wisteria is part of the legume family The legume family is also home to peas, beans, lentils and … Read More
A Brief History of the Victorian Glasshouse
The greenhouse, otherwise known as the Victorian glasshouse, became an iconic feature of british gardens during the Victorian era. As the Victorian’s love of gardening grew, the need to house their fragile, temperature controlled and valuable plants did too. The glasshouse provided a home for these species, whilst also paving the way for plant experimentation and cultivation. A status symbol … Read More
The history of Father’s Day
Father’s Day is an annual celebration that is celebrated in over one hundred countries. This year in the UK, we’ll be celebrating it on Sunday 16th of June. However it wasn’t always a celebrated day. Initially celebrating fatherhood was something only the Copic and Catholic Churches of southern europe celebrated, as part of their St. Joseph’s Day celebrations, but now … Read More
Top Wedding Trends for 2019
Wedding trends for 2019 are both plentiful and encouraging. For many, the royal weddings of 2018 highlighted an uprising of simple, classic elegance. For others, those same weddings were seen as a sign of change – with old traditions and stereotypes being broken, replaced with more diverse options. Here’s our rundown on the top wedding trends for 2019. Colour – … Read More
Take a leisurely stroll around the nature walks around Grim’s Dyke
For the nature lovers and walkers staying in the Harrow Weald area, Grim’s Dyke is a perfect location. Not only do you have our own grounds to walk around, but there’s also a few well-known nature walks around for you to explore the local flora and fauna. No matter what your walking abilities and experience, you can enjoy a pleasant … Read More