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Once through the Centenary walk, the path meanders towards the Lode mill between rows of Beech, Lime and Field Maple trees, under planted with autumn flowering Cyclamen and spring flowering bulbs.
David Jordan - © NT
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As the path nears the mill, a tall wall runs parallel for a while, until the path changes direction and heads through a narrow doorway.
This doorway, complete with solid wooden door, frames a view of the mill garnished by the long catkins of a Garrya elliptica, trained onto the wall.
Once at the mill there is an opportunity to see the workings within and purchase the flour produced there.
Barry Jordan - © NT
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It is a restored mill and has run regularly since its restoration during the 1980's using water from the river Lode for power.
The path now runs along the bank of the river, this had previously been an area of untamed scrub, the clearance of which afforded new views into the garden.
To the left of the path is a small grove of Silver Birch, under planted with spring flowering Scillas.
From the end of this grove can be seen the Quarry Pool, the Victorian coprolite mine now filled with water, and past the pool to the Lime Avenue with its pools of Scillas and Chionodoxa around each tree trunk.
Walking on from here, the straight path starts to curve as it passes into an area planted with autumn flowering Cyclamen, donated by H.M.Customs and Excise, after being seized as part of an illegal shipment from Turkey.
To the right of the Cyclamen is a large depression in the ground, sometimes filled with water, previously used as a rubbish dump and now planted with moisture loving plants.
Once through the Cyclamen Walk, the next area is the Herbaceous Border, a 'D' shaped border surrounded by a tall Beech hedge.
From this vantage point you can look back along the river towards the mill, that on a calm, sunny day can be seen clearly reflected in the water.
David Jordan - © NT
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