During our lockdowns, we were unable to travel beyond 5km (and then later, 10km) from home so I took it upon myself to act like an intrepid explorer of my local surrounds within that radius.
Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this beautiful park set amidst some stunning period homes. It’s called Hedgeley Dene Gardens in East Malvern and nearby is the Gardiners Creek valley parklands.
Apparently it was purchased in 1877 by a solicitor Edward Charsley and named after his birthplace back in England. I checked online to read about this place and it turns out to be in the district of Buckinghamshire in the south east.
I thought the water holes were man made but it turns out they are natural and made up the golf course natural hazards that used to be there around the same time.
The park is full of some old and tall trees. Looking up, you can’t help but be impressed with their size and height. As you walk through the park, it’s as if you’re transported back in time to the 1870s. I walked with my parents and we questioned what native flora and fauna had to be replaced, removed or destroyed to create this quaint, ordered “piece of England” in suburbia.
However now, this park is protected because of its unique and particular landscape with its ornamental lake, waterfall and hidden forest walk. Personally, I love this place. It’s a quiet sanctuary where you can sit under hundreds year old trees and watch dogs run or children play.
Today, it was a bit windy and the leaves were falling off the trees that had turned all shades of orange and yellow. It was beautiful to see the leaves floating about on this stunning day and I tried to jump up and catch a few as they floated my way and we laughed. People walking by commented and laughed with us. Simple spontaneous acts appreciating and enthralled by the change of season.
Simple pleasures are always the best pleasures.
References:
- A bit about the gardens in Trip Advisor https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g1009368-d10105534-Reviews-Hedgeley_Dene_Gardens-Malvern_Stonnington_Greater_Melbourne_Victoria.html
- About the Gardens: https://www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/Community/Parks-and-sporting-facilities/Hedgeley-Dene-Gardens
- Colonial ideals Melbourne Hedgeley Dene Gardens https://assemblepapers.com.au/2022/01/27/colonial-ideals-melbournes-hedgeley-dene-gardens/
I leave you a photo of one of my parents full grown olive trees in their front yard that are now bearing fruit. Soon they’ll be ready for picking.
I drove past Hedgerley on Thursday and it’s nowhere near Malvern! ?
It’s like Australians took a jigsaw map of the UK and threw the pieces randomly on the floor. ?
Ha ha! That’s funny (and true). It’s like we have little pieces of England here (although I dread to think what was removed by way of our native plants here) back then to create it!
Don’t worry. We pillaged the natural flora and fauna of the rest of the world to supply our stately homes.
I guess people want a little bit of home to remind them of the places they left. Case in point: the olive trees at my parents. ?