A stay at Goldstone Hotel is a delight year-round, but October brings its own special pleasures. As the nights grow longer, the warmth of log fires greets you at the door, creating a cozy atmosphere. The garden also offers a warm welcome, and our team, including Sarah and myself, are always ready to answer your questions.

Autumn Blooms in Our Gardens 

The herbaceous border is alive with the vibrant Rudbeckia, commonly known as ‘black-eyed Susan,’ showcasing bright yellow ray florets surrounding a central black cone. Towering over them is R. ‘Herbstsonne,’ reaching six feet with similar cheerful blooms. You’ll also find perennial sunflowers (Helianthus) adding splashes of yellow, alongside Sedum spectabile, with its fleshy grey-green leaves and clusters of pink flowers. These plants not only brighten our garden but also serve as vital late-season sources of pollen and nectar for insects before winter sets in.

 Breathtaking Views and Garden Care 

The views from our garden are as stunning as those within. From the main lawn, enjoy spectacular vistas across the valley, where oak-strewn fields stretch out in the early morning mist. As we prepare the lawn for winter, we’ll scarify to remove dead thatch and aerate to enhance drainage, ensuring the roots get the water they need. We’ll also feed the lawn with a higher concentration of iron throughout winter to keep moss at bay.

Tender Perennials and Seasonal Harvests 

Many of the vibrant plants thriving at this time are tender perennials that require winter protection. These resilient plants, such as cannas, bananas (Musa), dahlias, and some salvias, won’t survive frost but can be revived in spring. We’ll keep them cozy in our large poly tunnel until the frosts pass. Inside the poly tunnel, our kitchen garden is bursting with ripe tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and salads, ensuring our kitchen is well-stocked with fresh ingredients. This month, we’ll harvest the last of our famous Pink Fir Apple potatoes and look forward to a bountiful crop of borlotti beans. Their spectacular mottled red pods add a pop of color and can be dried and preserved for later use. We’re also excited for our butternut squashes and other Cucurbitaceae  which are not only delicious but also decorative, brightening the hotel with their vibrant hues.

Taste the Harvest: Refreshing Juices and Culinary Delights 

In September, we picked our dessert apples and pears, transforming them into wonderfully refreshing apple juice, along with grapes from the poly tunnel. Each bottle boasts a slightly varied taste, making it a delightful accompaniment to breakfast or an excellent addition to cocktails. Why not take a bottle home as a memento of your stay?

RHS The Garden Magazine

This year, our kitchen garden was featured in the RHS magazine ‘The Garden.’ As one of the largest productive hotel kitchen gardens, Goldstone continues to provide the finest seasonal produce. Our talented chefs skillfully transform these ingredients into mouth-watering dishes, allowing you to savour the very best of our October garden.

Join Us in the Garden 

Whether you’re drawn by the enchanting gardens, the cozy hotel atmosphere, or the delightful seasonal produce, a visit to Goldstone Hotel in Shropshire promises an unforgettable experience. We look forward to welcoming you!

Also, don’t miss our garden updates on our new Youtube channel, see here.

Warm wishes from Ross and the Garden Team

A Georgian manor house and restaurant with 12 comfortable bedrooms overlooking the rolling tree-strewn hills of the North Shropshire countryside. Boasting 5 acres of award-winning gardens, including a productive one-acre kitchen garden.

Located in the ‘Golden Garden Triangle’ close to Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Hodnet Hall Gardens & Dorothy Clive Garden.  

A warm welcome awaits you.

Find out more about the hotel and garden opening times here.