These gardens are of an idyllic nature.
They are reminiscent of those books of childhood days about magic, secret places and never-ending summers. Oh so very English, the sound of cricket, laughing children, cream teas and baskets of freshly harvested vegetables.
This sums up my experience, both now and in my formative years, of Long Close, a timeless place, that instilled in me, at a very young age, a great love of trees and all things green and creepy crawly.
I was lucky enough to be born the granddaughter of George and Marian Johnson, who purchased Long Close in 1949. By the time I was born, in 1960, the gardens were already restored to their former glory, and I remember the open days, when hoards of people came to visit the gardens and drink cups of tea, from enormous tea urns prepared in my grandparents kitchen.
I also remember with great fondness the newts and tadpoles that I enjoyed creating mobile homes for. I loved watching those little legs appear. I never could, however, understand why, when I put more than one newt in the same habitat, there was only one left in the morning.
Long Close is now owned by John Oakland, National Gardens Scheme County Organiser for Leicestershire, and Pene Oakland. They continue to fill the place with their unrivaled passion. You can sense this place is well loved by the abundance with which it greets you as you wander around.
I hope that those of you who visit the gardens will have a wonderful time, and for those of you who are unable to make the journey, please enjoy the articles and photographs gathered here for your perusal.
Amelia Thorne
