St Ann’s is a big historic home in Stirling, with a longtime backyard unfold throughout the property. There are mature timber, lawns, paths, flowering vegetation and loads of area to stroll round.
Among the timber on the property are additionally very previous. A Lebanese cedar is believed to be round 180 years previous, whereas a blue cedar is considered round 120 years previous. I spent Saturday at St Ann’s in Stirling, which was open to guests as a part of Open Gardens South Australia.
The home dates again to an 1854 land grant. The primary recorded construction was a stone shepherd’s cottage constructed round 1860. It was subsequently prolonged and remodeled into the Victorian-era home that stands right this moment.
I had found Open Gardens SA a number of months in the past however simply wasn’t capable of handle a go to to any of the gardens, till St Ann’s. I really feel that it was meant to be. It’s actually fairly beneficiant of households to open up their non-public houses and gardens to strangers to go to and luxuriate in. St Ann’s additionally had pretty tea and snacks that have been out there for guests to buy and luxuriate in. Your complete household was pressed into service and I completely loved guffawing together with all of the rose-cheeked youngsters working round!
The climate was good for it. Sunshine, an enormous backyard to stroll round and, clearly, a digital camera in my hand.
There’s a Japanese-inspired space with an previous water tank transformed right into a pond and planted with water iris. There are additionally younger timber being skilled into cloud-pruned varieties and a privet hedge clipped right into a wave. These are in all probability a number of the most-photographed options of the backyard – I used to be extra within the temper to {photograph} portraits of flowers, as you may inform!
From the higher garden terrace, you may look again in direction of the home. There are two authentic Victorian Coalbrookdale cast-iron seats with a nasturtium design. Coalbrookdale additionally made the gates for Hyde Park in London! I’m appreciative that one can really sit on these benches within the backyard, as an alternative of them being walled away just for viewing!
Open Gardens South Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that opens non-public gardens to the general public and promotes the enjoyment, data and advantages of gardens and gardening in South Australia.
St Ann’s was open on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, with entry at $10.
Stephanie & Marcus Bastiaan additionally host occasions and different particular gatherings at St Ann’s. The vitality of the gardens & the home is peaceable, welcoming and delicate. I completely loved spending time there and hope to return sooner or later!
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