< PreviousFREE PRIZE DRAW for Saga Readers!*AGRAND DESIGNThe Ultimate Garden FenceMaintenance free, guaranteed for 25 years, meet the fence system taking the UK by stormSPECIAL REPORT: Pete Starling celebrates hassle-free fencingCall now for your FREE home quoteOriginally devised in Australia, a country known for its extreme weather, Colourfence panels are guaranteed to last at least 25 years - without ever needing to pick up a brush again. Available in pre coated colours with or without a promise a lifetime of hassle-Finish CoatEpoxy PrimerConversion CoatingAZ150 Metallic CoatingZincalume® Steelcolourfence.co.ukinfo@colourfence.co.uk0800 6444113FREEPHONETELEPHONE01526 378424 Maintenance free, guaranteed for 25 years,meet the fence system taking the UK by stormIhave always been slightlyashamed of my fence.It’sbeen patched up, bashed upand in places was heldtogether mostly by thegreenery around it. So whenthe recent storms fi nally putan end to its misery and blewmost of it into my neighboursgarden, I decided it was timefor a change. Surely, theremust be a better way? Anend to painting, an end torotten posts - an end toconstant maintenance. What Ineeded was a fence thatgoes up, stays up (even inhigh winds) and is guaranteedto look good whatever theweather.A chance conversation ledme to discover that there wasindeed a system out therethat could only be describedas the Holy Grail for homeowners and gardeners up anddown the country.Colourfence gives you theopportunity to own the bestfence on your street.Originally devised in Australia,a country known for itsextreme weather, Colourfencepanels are guaranteed to lastat least 25 years - withoutever needing to pick up abrush again. Available in precoated colours with orwithout a choice of colouredtrellis finish the highly skilledinstallation team make shortwork of their dramatictransformations. The bestnews is that pricing is just asattractive. Starting costs arein line with comparabletraditional systems but offerthe ongoing peace of mindthat your investment willcontinue to save time andmoney year after year.For those of us who love ourgardens, Colourfencepromise a lifetime of hassle-free enjoyment. For moreinformation, simply call one oftheir helpful team. Fix yourfence once and for all - andthen forget it!34-40_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:37 Page 7Crowning a hill in Leicestershire, its turrets and towersrise over the Vale of Belvoir like an illustration in aromantic fairy tale.Castle Visits and ToursThe Castle is one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in theworld. Come and take a journey through time, see the art and treasurescollected by one family who have love Belvoir for nearly 1000 years.We are open on selected days from March – September 2016. Foropening times and visitor information please visithttp://www.belvoircastle.com/visiting-events/visitor-information/Garden Visit and ToursWe are extremely proud to be part of Capability Brown’s tercentenaryfestival celebrating his work and life, with parts of Belvoir’s landscapesopen to the public for the very first time. We are now also offering horsedrawn carriage tours around the Capability Brown Landscape, for moreinformation call 01476 871001. For all garden enthusiasts a must readfor you is ‘Capability Brown at Belvoir – Discovering a Lost Landscape’available to buy from our website.Weddings & EventsWith its magical hill top setting and magnificent array of grand staterooms, Belvoir Castle has a way of making your wedding day the verybest you can image. Please contact Megan mturner@belvoircastle.com todiscuss your requirements.Corporate EventsThe perfect setting for your conference, product launch, board meetingor team building day. Please contact Megan mturner@belvoircastle.comfor more information.41_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:48 Page 142 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBELVOIR GARDENSHis real name was Lancelot Brown and hechanged the face of England by transforming thegrounds of Stately homes all across the country, fromformal symmetrical designs to far more stylish and,dare we say, curvaceous designs on a grand scale. Such was his reputation that the wealthiestlandowners in the country lined up to have himredesign their grounds for them – often this involvedover 200 workers at any one time carrying out hisworks. No gardener has ever worked on such a grandscale but the nobility and gentry wanted their estatesto reflect their wealth and good taste and felt onlyBrown could manage this.Amazingly, however, staff at Belvoir Castle onlyrecently discovered Capability Brown’s originallandscaping plans for Belvoir which sadly was to behis last project before he died. This in itself is startlingas Brown was in such demand that he often had asmany as 30 projects on the go at any one time.Having discovered these forgotten documents, theDuchess of Rutland is now able to continue what wasproposed over 200 years ago. The project has evenbeen documented by Alan Titchmarsh and hisproducers for a TV series. These original landscaping plans dating back to1780, proposed a landscape with woodlands andlakes running through it. Sadly, Brown died of astroke so his scheme is only now seeing fruition.Of course Brown's plans were never modest. So,Emma Rutland has had tens of thousands of treesplanted, and three new lakes created resulting in anenormous stretch of water. The gardens at Belvoir were, of course, alreadymagnificent and have undergone several changesover the centuries with the Rev Sir John Thorotonbeing commissioned to terrace the area in 1815.Like the formal area and the striking statue ofBelvoirGardensVisit a stately home these days and it’s all too easy totake for granted the stunning landscape around it.However, those majestic gardens and trees and themeandering streams and lakes are man-made and, in themain, by the man we now know as 'Capability' Brown. 42-43_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:49 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY43BELVOIR GARDENS‘Winter’ by Caius Gabriel Cibber whichpresides over the Rose Garden and theStatue Garden, where a further sixstatues by Cibber stand. Then there’s the rose garden, designedby Harold Peto in 1906 - shaped like aboat with the Chinese horse at the bowand a circular seat at the stern - this seatbeing a classic hallmark of Peto. And theroses we see now were planted by thecurrent Duchess. If you look over the lowyew hedge there are two box parterresdesigned by her with the initials D and Ein the centre.The duchess garden - also referred toas The Ladies Garden or spring gardenwas rediscovered in 1970 by Frances, theDowager Duchess of Rutland was oncethe finest examples of a Picturesquegarden in the Regency period and laterfor spring bedding during the Victorianera but needed restoring after 30 years ofneglect following two World Wars. There’s the Root and Moss house,which sits above a series of stone stepscommanding an unrivalled vista throughtrees and shrubs to a pond with anelegant statue and a multitude of unusualtrees and shrubs planted.The Japanese Woodland is anotheramazing sight, featuring over 250specimen Camellias along withMagnolias, specimen Hydrangeas, Azaleasand Rhododendrons, snake-bark andJapanese maples and various bamboos.Many plants for this area were sourcedfrom the original seed collection fromCharles Williams of Caerhays Castle inCornwall, who were well known for theirexpeditions to Western China between1861 – 1939 and then cultivated theseeds in the UK.There’s, the Hermits Garden – so calledafter the discovery of two Regencygrotto’s during more restoration work -as it was the fashion, in the lateGeorgian/Early Victorian period, to pay ahermit to live in a grotto in theirgardens, as the ultimate landscapeornament! And, let’s not forget Frog Hollow - abreathtaking and very ‘Brownian’ stylearea, which was, until recently, coveredin Ponticum and brambles. If that’s notenough, there’s the recently plantedCarlisle Wood, named after DuchessElizabeth’s father, the 5th Earl of Carlislefrom Castle Howard and Elizabeth’sPavilion. Previously just a shell of asummerhouse and seat that had a vagueresemblance to the Root and Moss Housein the Duchess’s Garden. However,Belvoir’s talented carpenter, Danny, hascreated a new structure using traditionalconstruction methods.Belvoir are now offering horse drawn carriage tours around the Capability BrownLandscape for more information please call 01476 871001. For Castle and Gardenopening times and visitor information please visit www.belvoircastle.com/visiting-events/visitor-information/ or call 01476 87100142-43_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:49 Page 2LincolnshirewalksBLOXHOLM AND BRAUNCEWELLThis month we look at a delightful circular walk throughwoodland and park land in Lincolnshire to discover remotehamlets, lost villages and hidden churches.FACT FILESTART: NKDC “Stepping Out” carpark, Bloxholm.(GR066537)MAPS: OS Landranger 121 (Lincoln) • Explorer 272DISTANCES: OPTION 1. 4 miles • 6.5 kilometresOPTION 2. 5¼ miles • 8.5 kilometresREFRESHMENTS: None on route. Nearest isMusician’s Arms, Dorrington.Ruskington (3 miles) has several inns cafés etc.44-45_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:10 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY45LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSThe walk is situated at the edge of thelimestone dip slope of Lincoln Heath as itmeets a narrow zone of clays and gravelswhich disappear eastwards beneath thefens.Bloxholm is a name with Saxon originsmeaning Blocc’s homestead. Once amore extensive settlement, somethingindicated by earthworks near the churchwhere the Deserted Mediaeval Villageonce stood. Sadly, the grandiose Hall which wasbuilt in the 17th century, enlarged by theManners family a century later - wasdemolished in the early 1900s. Their finegarden wall is all that survived which wepass on our walk.The Manners family coat-of-arms can beseen on St Mary’s porch however and thetower with its rather impressivecastellations bears an imposing black andgold clock. Interestingly, Ashby-de-la-Launde, whichwas previously known as “Aschebi” got itsextended name from the De La Laundefamily after they acquired the manor inthe 14th century. One of their family, SirThomas, was executed at Stamfordfollowing the Battle of Losecoat Field in1470. St Hibald’s church has a 13th/14thcentury tower and spire but the remainderwas extensively rebuilt in 1854 with aVictorian interior.At Brauncewell we find more villageremains in the last field before ManorFarm. All Saints church was rebuilt 1855though it retained its mediaeval tower butbecame redundant in 1973. It is nowcared for by the Lincolnshire OldChurches Trust.Around the church, in an area known asChurch Close, more earthworks arethought to be the former gardens of the17th century Manor House .NOTES:To locate the start, leave theB1188 just north of Ruskington.. Somepaths used are part of the NorthKesteven’s “Stepping Out” network andnot shown on OS maps. THE ROUTE1 - From the Stepping Out Car Park atPeacock Lodge, walk straight ahead,through the wooden gate and down thewide farm track, originally thecarriageway to Bloxholm Hall.2 - Just before you reach Mount Farmon your left, look out for a track leadingright alongside a large Blackthorn hedge.Turn right onto this path.3 - Continue down this path, passing apond on your left, until you reach a longstrip of woodland. To continue turn leftinto woodland known as Ten AcrePlantation.4 - This path winds its wat throughSpruce Covert and Four Acre Plantationwhere many of the trees are Hornbeam.Violets and celandine can also be seen inSpring. Follow the waymarkers throughthe wood until you emerge onto a singletrack road. The road bends to the right toHill Farm. Carry on straight through openfields. The village of Bloxholm can be seenahead, while Dorrington Church tower usclearly visible in the distance.5 - This track joins the public road, bearleft here, towards Bloxholm. Continuealong the road until you reach a curiousround hexagonal house (called the roundhouse) on your left. The house was builtfor the estate in 1825.6 - Just after the round house, take thepath off to the left, along a cinder pathwhich leads left towards the old walledgarden belonging to the hall. Continuepast the old gates until you reach thecorner of the garden wall.7 - At this point the cinder path bearsright into private property, follow thegrassy path leading off to your left. Takethis path, keeping the hedge on yourright. The path bends right over an oldfootbridge until it reaches a farm track.8 - Turn right onto this track. You willsee the walled garden across to your rightand the pasture showing signs ofmedieval "ridge and furrow pastcultivation". Continue until you see awooden gate on your right with the hallin the distance.9 - Turn left here onto the broad grassypath which leads between fields towardsthe wooded mound known as TheMount. To continue the circular route,pass through the gap in the hedge, crossa stream and a stile into the pasturebeyond. The path continues up the slopeto The Mount.10 - At the Mount, continue along thetrack, through four sets of metal gatesand past the farmyard at Mount Farm andreturn through the metal gates and backto your car.PHOTOS: WWW.WILDCOYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM44-45_Layout 1 24/05/2016 14:19 Page 246 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNJune is always a busy month in Lincoln,with the Show welcoming thousands ofvisitors and the good weatherencouraging many more to enjoy thecity’s many fantastic sights. But the showisn’t the only thing going on in the city,nor is the fun limited to just two days.Lincoln remains one of the premiershopping locations in the county, whilealso being a centre for culture, heritageand fine dining. Lincoln recently came into thelimelight internationally, following the800th anniversary of the Magna Cartabeing sealed. Only four copies exist now,of which one is in Lincoln castle!Speaking of the Castle, a £22mrenovation was completed last year andit’s now become an even more attractivetourist destination for those visiting thearea. It will be especially worth checkingout this month too as the Poppies ‘Wave,exhibition’ will be on display from May28th to 4th September. This iconic48 ÁLincoln’s always been aproud city, fusing its pastwith present – andthere’s a lot ofinteresting things goingon that make it anattractive destination.LINCOLNIt’s all going on inPHOTO: LUCIAN MILASAN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM46-51_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:39 Page 1KINGS & CONVICTSPOWER & PUNISHMENTMEDIEVALWALL WALK360°BATTLEMENTS TOURAUDIO GUIDES INCLUDEDVICTORIANPRISONFOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CONVICTSLIVE COSTUMED INTERPRETATION DURING SPRING AND SUMMERMAGNACARTAICON OF LIBERTY AND FREEDOMSEE THE DOCUMENT AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WIDESCREEN CINEMA*Book today at:www.lincolncastle.com*Check the website for details for the display of documents in the David P J Ross Magna Carta VaultTHREE GREAT ATTRACTIONS, ONE AMAZING DAYSAVE WITH JOINT TICKETS FOR CASTLE & CATHEDRAL46-51_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:39 Page 248 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNsculpture designed by artist PaulCummins and designer Tom Piper is oneof the two sculptures from theinstallation `Blood Swept Lands and Seasof Red` that was housed at HM Tower ofLondon 2014 in honour of the deaths ofBritish and Colonial forces in the FirstWorld War. If the Magna Carta isn’t to your likinghowever, there are still many otherhistorical options in the city – fromvisiting a Victorian Prison to the medievalwall walk at the castle; right down toevents taking place through the year.There’s also the Cathedral of course,though one hardly needs to be remindedof that when the spires pierce the skylineabove the city. There’s multipleopportunities to visit the Cathedralthroughout the month, but it’s worthnoting that there is also various concertstaking place through the month of Juneas well. And if you can tear yourself away fromthe sightseeing you’ll find it remains abustling shopping destination to this day.From the antique streets of the Bailgate,with its independent shops and high-class hotels, down Steep Hill and into themain High Street with more mainstreambrands and names. There is alwayssomething to see and somewhere to goin Lincoln, and unlike many other areasin the county, its High Street is certainlyholding it own against the advent ofonline shopping. It’s hard to rememberthe last time a single storefront waslacking a retailer, and available space issnapped up quickly. Our particularfavourite remains the aforementionedBailgate area, with its vintage shops andquirky boutiques that offer a truly uniquevariety of shops. Gone are the cases ofwalking into an event just to seesomeone else wearing the same outfit, orfunding someone’s home has the samefurniture as yours. Lincoln is a shoppinghaven and has many unique items onoffer. The effort involved in climbingPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PETER R FOSTER IDMAThere’s more to Lincoln than just the past however, as itremains a bustling shopping destination to this day.46-51_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:40 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY49LINCOLNwww.follie.co.uk83 Bailgate, Lincoln, LN1 3ARTel: 01522 579400LOTTIESATIKEXCLUSIVE FASHIONSITUATED WITHIN THEHISTORIC BAILGATE45 STEEP HILLLINCOLN ILN2 1LU01522 536035LOTTIESATIK.CO.UKExciting Summercollection now availableSteep Hill – one of the most beautiful streets in the country isworth it but admittedly, as the name might suggest, it isquite steep. We suggest parking at the top and thenenjoying a leisurely stroll down after experiencing the scenicdelights of the Bailgate. Then, when loaded up withshopping, you can always cheat and take a taxi back up. For dining there is a wide array of options, spanning theentire globe in terms of taste. From Brayford Wharf up to theBailgate there are many fabulous hotels, most of which havetheir own restaurants that we can personally attest to servingfantastic food. There are also an array of independenteateries and tea-rooms. Up the hill the view is a staple in adining experience – and what better view than that of theCathedral itself? However, there are other locations all theway through the city, many of which have gone for a morecontemporary dining experience than the usual restaurantfare. Our advice is to go where your nose takes you, as the50 ÁPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ARENA PHOTO UK46-51_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:40 Page 4Next >