The Lancaster garden with it's own steam railway

By Lancashire Life on January 10th 2012

When I heard there was a railway running through Mike and Lorraine Cave’s garden at Brookhouse, near Lancaster, I wasn’t sure what to expect – a miniature layout or the main London to Glasgow line?

Happily, it was the former. Mike, who is an engineer, always wanted a model steam railway. ‘It is like my Ferrari,’ he explained, ‘and it was suggested if we really had to have a railway why not have one people can ride on.’ That is what he has succeeded in building.

Their two acre garden is surrounded by magnificent views of the countryside which they have incorporated as the backdrop for their design. When they moved in it was basically a field with two large trees.

Once he had pegged out where the track was to go and worked out how to cope with the gradient, Lorraine then had the shape for her garden. She inherited her horticultural knowledge from her parents and grandparents who were market gardeners.

Lorraine was born in the Lune Valley and used to work for Cancer Care, which she still does as a volunteer, while Mike comes from Nottingham.
The lawn stretched down from the house and Lorraine said: ‘We had to buy a Hayter mower for the gardener and it certainly has paid off. Having a blank canvas helped with the design, but I have given up trying to fight with nature and am starting to go with it.’

Billowing herbaceous borders set in curvaceous beds either side of the lawn contain many rambling roses, which in season are a sensory delight, ‘Queen of Sweden’ is Lorraine’s favourite. They, along with traditional and unusual perennials and shrubs, flow through the beds. Lorraine is very proud of a eucalyptus she grew from seed ten years ago and this now stands proudly in the border. There will be interest all year as evergreens and conifers have been included in the design.

‘Every day I wonder what will be missing as deer come in the garden for their gourmet meal. They really are a nuisance, though Mike insists on reminding me that when we had snow and a deer stood posed on the lawn, I did rush in and get my camera out!’

Lorraine was keen to try her hand at topiary and had a frame of an urn specially made. She started with yew but this got blight so she began again using golden privet which on a dull day adds sunshine to the garden. She obviously not only has horticultural skills but also an artistic eye, for the garden flows happily from one area to another.

Now she has accepted not to fight with nature but follow its lead she will lose fewer plants. Cornus thrive and she may replace a rhododendron she has lost with one. Gardens evolve and, rather than planting mature specimens, Lorraine likes saplings so she can see them grow.

Peering out from the planting in the far area an outline of a small brick folly appears. Going down to investigate, crossing the railway line en route, this ‘ruin’ has been tastefully constructed and complete with a paved area for sitting it makes an interesting feature.

Small details such as large keys hanging from the ‘jail’ window and various plants in pots all add interest. The hydrangea ‘Limelight’ grows through one of the windows but in a controlled way. Crossing the railway line, steps lead back out with a rockery to one side where low growing alpines cling and clamber through the rocks.

With such a large garden, which is open twice a year for the National Garden Scheme, there was plenty of scope to create a pond, or maybe we should call it a small lake. When digging out they used the soil to build the embankment for the railway. Water lilies thrive and surround a delightful statue of a lady reaching up to the sky. There is also an island with natural vegetation. A mown grass path leads through a wild flower meadow and to ensure the wild orchids aren’t disturbed Lorraine marks the site with a stick.

The garden railway is detailed to perfection with its own station, picket fencing and gate with old metal signs. station clock tells the time and a milk cart stands. Mike has even been known to cook bacon and eggs on a shovel in the fire when it is blazing.

He takes great pride in the engines and coaches and has just restored two with the coachwork gleaming and badges on the carriages. As the train takes you on a journey round the garden you are able to see how much work has gone into designing and planning the route.

Gardens are also for outdoor dining and a patio area has been built with a chiminea for both cooking and heating. This is enclosed by trellising with climbing roses and there is a formal space with a silver pear in the centre of a circular box edged bed, stepping stones set in cobbles make a pathway round it and a low box hedge holds back the surrounding plants. As you wander you can brush past plants, smell the perfume filling the senses. How many gardeners can boast a railway to take you on a journey as well?