Abbey Cottage dates from the early 18th century. It was built into the walls of the kitchen garden that belonged to the rectory (now Abbey House). The cottage comprised ‘one up and one down’ under a thatched roof.
___When I found the cottage and garden in 1976 they were neglected and overgrown. There were 40 large unkempt apple trees, many years’ worth of garden debris, lots of ground elder, and rhubarb, irises, and paeonies which flourish today.
___The garden had great charm that I was wary of destroying, but I decided to create a new garden as an extension of an enlarged cottage.
___While serving in Oman I was inspired by the mountains and scenery and thought about the garden. In the peaceful space of the desert I drew my plans - full scale - in the sands.
___In February 1982, on returning home, I found fresh inspiration in other gardens and then began to make my own at Abbey Cottage.
___Throughout I have enjoyed encouragement from my family, friends, visitors, and helpers. Also from the many beneficial insects and creatures which live here and enjoy the place.

Patrick Daniell 2009

Abbey Cottage, Itchen Abbas
“… may I a small house and a large garden have” Abraham Cowley, 1647.
Some Questions Answered:

___Itchen Abbas takes its name from the Abbess of St Mary’s Nunnery who owned land around here in the 16th century.

The garden is 50m (160 ft) above sea level; 0.6 hectare (1.5 acres); the soil is alkaline.
___I planted the beech hedges in 1978 and 1983; yew 1984; evergreen oak 1985; hornbeam 1990; the orchard in 1995 and the plantation in 2001.
___The vines may be 250 years old.
___It takes four days to prune the apple trees in winter, and four days to cut the hedges.
___It takes three hours to give the grass and edges a ‘grade 1’ cut.
___Since first opening in 1988 visitors have donated £61,000 to the National Gardens Scheme and other charities.
___The garden has been completely organic since November 2000.
___

"My Garden is your Garden" is the story of the garden at Abbey Cottage written by Patrick Daniell. He describes, in a very personal way, how he designed and created - and now maintains - this beautiful garden. It has featured in magazine articles and gardening videos; on BBC TV 'Gardeners World'; in the Channel 4 series 'The 20th Century Garden'; and in the ITV series "Britain's Best Back Garden".___This story reflects the deep affection he holds for the garden "he has found to make his own", and his profound respect for nature. But there is, as he writes "more to it than that."
___He has adapted the customery Arab welcome "My House is your House" to welcome readers to his garden; hence the title "My Garden is your Garden".