Glasshouses at The Palm Centre

At the far end of the newly opened section of The Palm Centre in Ham Street are the remains of an old glasshouse. It is somewhat dilapidated now but still exudes industrial charm. Not shown here are the gaps under the floor that I presumed were used to heat the building.

In contrast, this is one of the modern glasshouses in the main part of The Palm Centre, which I find equally charming.

The Palm Centre has expanded

I have always liked the Palm Centre and I pop in there from time to time just to enjoy the plants, glasshouses and garden ornaments. When I visit I explore every corner and on a recent visit I found that there were now even more corners to explore.

There always was a separate planting area almost hidden away in the north-west corner and when I went into that I discovered another large planting area off of that one. Ham Street lies beyond the brick wall at the back.

This section of the Palm Centre is vast and I have tried to show that in these pictures. At the far end they reach almost up to Orangery café at Ham House.

Chinese dragons

One of the attractions of The Palm Centre in Ham Street is the splendid collection of bamboos the most eye-catching of which are the very tall ones that you can walk through and the fashionable black ones.

In keeping with these is a bright red Chinese style box complete with dragons. I've no idea what it is meant to be, perhaps just a bird feeder, but it looks exotic and that is all that matters.

the bamboo collection

The Palm Centre in Ham Street is a regular port of call on one of my aimless wanderings (they are the best kind of wanderings) because its central location means I am often nearby and its wonderful collection of plants, pots and other garden ephemera make it unusual and interesting.

Even on a cold grey December day there is something to warm the soul and recharge emotional batteries. This time my eye was caught by a Chinese box, large regimented flow pots and lines of plants sheltering in greenhouses, but it was this sign that I've chosen as the memento for that particular visit.

Revisiting the Palm Centre

The Palm Centre in Ham Street is an exotic green oasis in a world of ancient dark brick that surrounds, hides and protects it. Stepping through the gates and walking along the drive is to slowly and seamlessly drift between worlds.


In the far corner tribes of ferns battle for light and seem determined to breach the wall to escape to Ham Lands beyond.


More sedate and delicate plants sit quietly in rows in long greenhouses that are cages masked as providers of light and shelter.

A closer look at the Garden House

When walking in to the Palm Centre on Ham Street, a glance up to the left gives you a pleasing view of the Garden House with its pristine white walls and the woodwork freshly painted in a colour that I am not even going to try and guess the name of. Very nice chimneys too.

The Palm Centre

The Palm Centre in Ham Street is like a folly in a formal garden, it does not really belong there but it is quirky and interesting and so you keep going to it.

The Garden House

The Garden House in Ham Street looks exotic and mysterious when viewed across part of The Palm Centre that wraps itself around the house. A children's book should be set here.

Winged lion

This proud winged lion stands guard at The Palm Centre in Ham Street. It is a long way from Venice where it is on the municipal coat of arms.

Mediterranean Weekend

The weather was not very Mediterranean for most of the time but the event attracted lots of people to The Palm Centre in Ham Street who mostly came to shop for stunning foods, like those below.

Old door

This door goes from Melancholy Walk in to the back of The Palm Centre in Ham Street. I am not sure if it is used very often, or at all, but it has a new bright-blue padlock which adds a delightful splash of newness and colour to contrast the old and faded door.

Palms

Surprisingly, these palms are in The Palm Centre.

The Palm Centre

The Palm Centre in Ham Street is rather hidden behind high brick walls, so it needs this sign by the entrance.

Ostrich

This statue of an ostrich is in The Palm Centre in Ham Street.

Boundary of The Palm Centre

The Palm Centre in Ham Street goes all the way back to Ham House. The two pillars behind the wall are to the garden gate at Ham House. There is no clue in Melancholy Walk that there is such an unusual shop on the other side of the wall.

These magnificent bamboos can be found at the Palm Centre in Ham Street, down by Ham House.