Map of Matara
Looking to find your bearings? This illustrated map will help. Scroll down to find the key that describes each area.
3. PATHWAY TO CENTRE ENTRANCE
Through the Torii arch, the stepping stone path leads between bamboos to the Centre entrance. Designed in the spirit of a Japanese tea house garden path, which allows the visitor to put down life’s cares before entering, it is a work in progress.
4. CENTRE ENTRANCE
Through the carved Indian doorway, the ‘Green Man’ fountain and tree ferns make a surprisingly simple and restful ‘hors d’oeuvre’ to the Centre.
5. WELCOME COURTYARD
Originally the stable yard, it is now a welcoming, upbeat, sunny courtyard, with a pool, waterfalls and lush planting. It is an outdoor gathering and sitting space for the Centre - the giraffe moved in a little later.
6. CLOISTERED COURTYARD
This garden was inspired by the great ‘Scholar’s Gardens’ of China, which developed from the belief that contemplation of natural landscapes - mountains, lakes, and plants - leads to human fulfillment.
7. HILARIUM GARDEN
A Japanese-inspired ‘viewing garden’ with a traditional stone lantern and Japanese maples set into raked gravel, it’s a work in progress.
8. KITCHEN GARDEN
This began as an Italianate garden of box hedging and topiary with a formal pool, but it has defied our intentions by becoming a wild and willful cottage garden.
9. WHITE GARDEN
Another formally structured garden which has gone its own sweet way.
10.VERANDA BORDER AND FORMAL LAWN
The elegant regency facade of Kingscote needed to be honoured, so the rose covered veranda is complemented by an abundant, and at times unruly, herbaceous border, and an expansive lawn which looks out over the vista of the park.
11.KINGSCOTE HOUSE ENTRANCE
The urns are a device to soften and give colour to the elegant but cold, shady, north-east aspect of Kingscote House entrance.
12. OFFICE ENTRANCE
Based on the principles of Feng Shui , the circles correct the entrance direction while the waterfall brings in chi from the east.
13. CHERRY BLOSSOM ENTRANCE
Originally a dry garden in the Japanese spirit, with special rocks suggesting mountains. We later added flowering cherries for springtime blossom.
14. CAR PARK
Parking for Guest Accommodation.
15. DRAGONFLY LAKE
Bordered by silver birches, the richly planted lake is home to fish, moorhens and dragonflies and a heron routinely patrols. The flow-form fountain brings in chi, and the meditating sculpture gives a feeling of peace.
16. WALLED GARDEN
The formal box hedging compliments the riotous foxgloves and roses. The roses have been dedicated by couples on their wedding day. This sunny garden is full of butterflies and the scent of the roses in summer. Rest a while in the corner seat.
17. THE PALM HOUSE
Sunny and filled with lush planting and the sound of tumbling water, the Palm house is a little oasis in which to relax. This is the beating heart of Matara.
18. LABYRINTH
Walking the labyrinth can calm the mind and broaden the outlook. Try it!
19. BLUE ZONE GARDEN
This garden is usually sown with brilliant blue phacelia to attract bees, and the whole garden can be heard humming when in full flower. The information boards outline the principles of ‘Blue Zones’ - principles common to all areas around the world where health and longevity are especially strong.
20. LODGE GARDEN
This area forms a tranquil setting for the eclectically decorated gatehouse, which is the honeymoon suite.
21. TORII ARCH
The Torii arch at the entrance to the woodlands was originally sited in an All Faiths courtyard as part of the Queens Silver Jubilee celebrations. The arch is a Shinto
symbol marking the point to leave the everyday world behind and move into your own ceremonial sacred space.
22. THE MOSS WALK
The Beech Walk starts the Long Parkland Walk - there are arrows to help you
navigate. The 2km walk takes you through different habitats - woodland, grassland, hedgerow, wild flower meadow and wetland.
23. CEREMONIAL CIRCLE
The Ceremonial Circle is the most popular outdoor place for couples to express their own wedding blessing and other celebrations of life.
24. WISHING TREE
Inspired by the Celtic tradition of the ‘cloutie tree’ Tie a ribbon and make a wish.
25. BAREFOOT TRAIL
Kick off your shoes and let the barefoot trail massage your feet into happiness.
26. WOODLAND HABITAT
The woodland is awash with wild garlic and in the spring, and the mature beech and sycamore trees are home to a wide range of birds, squirrels, rabbits and owls.
27. CHURCH WALK
This ‘green lane’ was the original pathway from Kingscote House to the church of St John the Baptist and Kingscote village.
28. NEW ORCHARD
100 fruit trees,each one dedicated to a couple who married at Matara. The plums, pears, cherries, and myrabolans feed bees and butterflies in summer, and birds and badgers in winter.
29. WILD FLOWER MEADOWS
Originally a rye-grass grazing field, over the years we’ve been encouraging native flora and grasses, which in turn support moths, butterflies, bees, birds.
30, 35, & 36 RE-WILDING AREAS
These areas are left completely to their own devices to allow nature to establish it’s own rhythm without human interference.
31. HEDGEROW HABITAT
The hawthorn hedgerow is a mass of white blossoms in spring, which supports many insects The berries are an invaluable food for birds and mice in winter
32.REMEMBRANCE HILL
This is a grove of cherry blossom and native trees, set aside as a peaceful woodland area for people to love and remember their loved ones.
33. RE-WILDING AREA
Native tree transplants were planted by volunteers, and will grow, over time, into mixed woodland.
34. LIMESTONE GRASSLAND
Thin, calcareous soil supports specific native flora, but is a disappearing habitat. So we are encouraging this area to re-develop its own characteristic grasses and flowers, which in turn will support wildlife specific to these conditions.
37. CHERRY CIRCLE
A celebration of cherry blossom to linger in and enjoy in the spring, inspired by the Japanese cherry blossom celebrations. Bring a picnic.
38. APPLE ORCHARD WALK
Planted with old Gloucestershire apple varieties, the orchard produces an abundance of fruit which we share with birds, badgers and mice.
39. SPIRAL
Based on an ancient healing spiral, try walking in with any concerns and worries, releasing them at the centre and walking out in the opposite direction with a new
positive personal path.
40. WETLAND HABITAT
These two pools are part of Matara’s grey water recycling system, and are fed by bio-dynamic flow-forms which re-energise the water, helping it to support life again.
41 ANGEL WALK
The angel presides over this path which leads from the blue zone garden to the field of dreams. In certain winds she hums.
42. FIELD OF DREAMS
We origially intended this to be a ‘prarie garden’, encircled by a sweetly scented rose hedge, but nature (or more precicely the rabbits) have different ideas, so we’re returning to wild flower seeding, which is both colourful and attractive to bees and butterflies.
43.LADY WITH DOVE
Carved in situ from a dead oak tree, she holds a dove in her hands, a symbol of peace. (The sculptor is Nick Barton, a forester in the Isle of Man, who also carved the golden storks in the cloistered courtyard).
44. COMMUNITY GARDENS ENTRANCE
45. PICNIC AREA