Forty Friends visited Ramster Garden on a glorious day on 30 April 2025. The sky was a deep blue and the sun shone throughout. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The garden was just as idyllic.
The history of Ramster Gardens
We all gathered at the coffee shop to be warmly welcomed by Miranda Gunn, the great-granddaughter of Sir Henry and Lady Norman who acquired the property in 1922.
Ramster Gardens was established in 1890 by local nurseries who transformed the oak woodland into a beautifully designed landscape and showcased their collection of Japanese plants and ornaments, some of which are still in place today. It was great fun looking to see how many we could spot on our wander around the garden.
Miranda also highlighted the links between The Savill Garden and Ramster. John Bond, a past Keeper of the Gardens, trained under Miranda’s great uncle, Lord Aberconway at Bodnant. He later helped to build the collection of camelias at Ramster. Some years later Miranda’s daughter trained at The Savill Garden – we felt part of the family
An acer tree in Ramster Gardens.
Spring colour
Ramster is a garden for wandering around.
Imagine a bluebell wood, with little meandering paths leading to hidden glades and breath-taking views across the valley. Then populate it with quintessential British spring flowers, primroses, wood anemones and violets. Add the vibrant greens and yellows of early spring leaves and a peaceful hush broken only by the sound of woodpeckers hammering in the distance. Magical, as one of the Friends described it.
Ramster is famous for rhododendrons and azaleas and one section, Ant Wood, is devoted to hardy hybrids which are now too big for many gardens, but which thrive in the open spaces there. There are over 200 varieties; and the vibrant colours could be seen throughout the garden, sometimes at a distance and sometimes close by.
The warm weather brought the handkerchief trees (Davidia involucrata) into flower earlier than expected. There are two, and we were challenged to find them.
After the walk
Our visit included coffee and cake; and we weren’t stinted on either. We could choose when to have our coffee and many of us chose to have our lunch there too. Everything was freshly made and absolutely delicious.
If you haven’t been to Ramster before it’s worth a visit. We went at the best time of year when the bluebells carpeted the ground under the trees and the colours and sounds of spring were everywhere.
A lake in Ramster Gardens.
Rhododendrons in Ramster Gardens.
