The gardens at Yew Tree Cottage extend to approximately half an acre. The planting is traditional but imaginative - chives, lavender and marigolds are conspicuous throughout, but you’ll also find other plants from yarrow to hollyhocks to bronze fennel. In winter to spring there are hundreds of snowdrops, crocuses, alliums and tulips, before the main growing season gets into full swing. In the autumn, the many trees turn a beautiful spectrum of red to gold.

At the front is a quiet lane that runs from the T-junction at the centre of the hamlet. The cottage itself has dark grey wrought iron railings and gates with a Yew Tree to the side. Through the gates there is a gravel drive with parking for three or, given some careful manouevering, four cars. There are then two planted beds bordered by miniature box, an Oak and a large Black Poplar. A seven foot high hedge separates the drive and garden from next door. A brick path leads to the porch and the front door at the side of the house.

Behind the house, there is a York flagged patio with table and chairs overlooking the main lawn. To the left there is a lean-to wood store and a path that leads up past the old shed, where there is a washing machine. Beyond the shed is the fully-planted organic kitchen garden. Depending on the time of year, you are free to pick your own herbs and fresh vegetables and fruit, such as peas, broad beans, runner beans, courgettes, onions, garlic, potatoes, gooseberries, blackberries, strawberries and rhubarb.

At the back of the lawn is a rose arch through which a grassed path leads alongside a herbaceous border backed with yew and topiary on one side. On the other side of the grass are apple trees and a well-stocked pond, with beautiful views of the fields at the back.

Although the house is semi-detached, the gardens are almost entirely separated by tall hedges, fences and the lean-to woodstore, giving a feeling of almost total privacy.