BROOK HOUSE
By kind permission of Jenny Blackler and Nigel Winmill.
This year we are very fortunate to be holding our Summer Social in the stunning gardens of Brook House, which lies at the heart of the beautiful village of Long Melford. The house was constructed as a Coaching Inn, called The White Hart in c.1470, and was renamed Brook House (after it’s conversion to a private home in the 1700’s), after Chad Brook, which flows at the foot of the garden.The Hyde-Parker family lived there before they bought Melford Hall, where they still reside today, albeit now owned by the National Trust.
Jenny and Nigel have just completed a six-year restoration of the house, and are now turning their attentions to the garden. The garden is one and a half acres in size and is split into a Courtyard Garden, a Herb Garden, a Walled garden, a Kitchen Garden, a Sunken Greenhouse Garden,and a Duckpond Garden. It is still a work in progress, with areas still under development. The Garden is pretty flat with one small step in the Courtyard Garden, and there is plenty of seating all around the garden. There are toilet facilities inside the house. Entrance to the garden is at the rear of the house on Chemist Lane, which is directly opposite The Bull Hotel and is signposted ‘Village Hall’.
We will be having some delicious sandwiches, with wine, additional glasses at £1 a glass, with which to wander, whilst enjoying this lovely garden, and Nigel will tell us a little more about the restoration of this fascinating house. There is a car park to the side of the house, or on- street parking and failing space there, on the other side of the bridge there is another car park beside The Old School. Fingers crossed for good weather!!