THE BAKEHOUSE

NEWBRIDGE

 

 

In 1976 my mother bought The Bakehouse in Newbridge. There was no garden. It was a paddock for roaming sheep, behind the old run down Bakehouse. Over 30 years trees were planted, garden and vegetable beds created and a horse round yard and rustic stable were built. Since its beginning in the 1800s, being the home of butchers, a few blacksmiths and 13 bakers there have been many items dug out of the garden that have provided a glimpse of its past. These rustic items still have a place around the garden today.

In 2019 we moved into The Bakehouse and began the renovation of the house and garden. In our short time here we have taken and honoured the bones and scaffold of the garden that once was mum’s, but at the same time, have made it our own. The Bakehouse Garden isn’t a planned garden but rather a garden that has evolved over the four years it has been ours. An example of ‘no planning’, an ‘evolving garden’, would be how we made use of a very large mound of clay and rubble residue from the new plumbing trenches. The mound is now a three year old, very large raised garden, of different native grasses which has become a garden feature and haven for birds, insects and small lizards.

Evidence of mum’s horse round yard is still here, as is the stable. This round yard area has been created into a garden room where the winter sun can be enjoyed and the summer shade can be appreciated. The plants we have chosen, both native and cottage variants grow in close proximity. All have to be survivors. They must survive intense heat and sometimes minimal watering as well as the many heavy winter frosts that the Newbridge garden has to endure. If the plant, shrub or tree survives and shows promise, then it is repeated in another part of the garden.

The Bakehouse garden is still very much a work in progress with so many projects still on the go. We like to think it is is an all-seasons garden having plants and colour performing and giving us something to enjoy and appreciate throughout the year. We hope you enjoy a wander through the Bakehouse garden.