The very best day !

There is no way that this stunning view can be emphasised in a photo…you have to be there! And ‘be there’ we were, yesterday! This incredible view is of Chesil Beach, in Dorset.

Chesil Beach is an 18 mile beach that runs from West Bay to Portland; it’s made almost entirely of shingle. The name ‘Chesil’ is derived from ‘chessil’ (Old English ‘ceosel’ or ‘cisel’), meaning ‘gravel’ or ‘shingle’.

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Behind the beach is the ‘Fleet’, a shallow, tidal lagoon.

The coast road from Bridport to Weymouth is certainly a wonderful drive and we were on that road because we were about to visit…

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens! But, of course, after an almost two hour journey and in true ‘Snippets style’, the first stop had to be the cafe! And it was delightful! 

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is home to 600 species from across the world! It really is a plantsman’s paradise! I felt as though I was in heaven!

It also has a very rich and fascinating history, which you can delve into here

It’s well worth a read… as places like this don’t just happen! 

I loved these Abutilon, below. They can be grown outside in the milder parts of southern England, preferably against a south facing wall or a more sheltered, sunny border and they do have a long, flowering season. However, it’s probably best to protect them during the colder months or grow them in a greenhouse or conservatory. Some species are more hardy than others. 

The gardens are situated less than a mile from the sea and in this particular location, it is milder in the winter and cooler in the summer. The climate and the various aspects of the location combine to make a micro climate for the many species of plants, meaning that they thrive in this location.

There was so much to take in and I especially loved the bark on this Chilean Myrtle, above.

I also fell in love with this little Bothy!

If you can’t easily read the sign below, this is what it says:

‘This building was known as a 'Bothy' and it provided basic accommodation for one or two under-gardeners or 'Journeyman' as they were known. They would live on site and be responsible for stoking the boilers of the glasshouses to keep them warm in the winter months.

This Bothy was built sometime in the early 19th century, it has a fireplace downstairs in what would have been their kitchen come, living room, and a fireplace upstairs in the sleeping quarters.

They were usually built on the north side of the walled garden. The wall of the walled garden was built in 1765.

We now have a collection of some of the old garden tools and artefacts that would have been used. Many of which were discovered in the gardens along with old lead labels with old plant names.’

How I would love a Bothy ! Maybe, Mr Snippets could build me one; he’s good with his hands! 😁

And then there were the Sedum! Oh my goodness, these were covered in bees and what a joy it was to watch them! 

This variety might actually be ‘Autumn Joy’…I’ve grown it in the past and it’s a spectacle at this time of the year! Note to self…buy one for our garden! Stunning!

I can honestly say that this is the loveliest place that I’ve visited! You are taken on a journey to far away places as well as being shown how you can incorporate some of these plants into your own garden if you have the right environment…and many of us certainly do! 

Finally, we looked around the Plant Centre …but just to say that I behaved!😁

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, can be found here. I highly recommend this wonderful place!

And then we had to suffer the wonderful journey home! 🤣

There’s nothing like a bit of Dorset thatch! 

And, oh my goodness, the views travelling back, although slightly hazy, meant that we could see all the way around Lyme Bay, to Brixham.

T’was an absolutely wonderful day and well worth getting off our backsides and ‘going abroad’, yet again! !  Dorset is very special! 😁