The neat lawns and rose beds in the immediate vicinity of the thatched and timbered house create a calendar picture that is the epitome of an English country garden. Far beyond the house, parts of the garden are so enjoyably like a walk through the countryside that you almost expect to see a footpath sign.

The house was built in 1642, with a Victorian extension dating from 1821, and has been beautifully maintained and improved.Too little is known of its history, though it is a source of satisfaction to the couple that a gentleman named Cresswell – unrelated – once lived here. He was responsible for the 1821 extension and was also involved in building Idridgehay church.

The gravelled drive, formal box garden, flower border and mellow brick wall are laid out on an imprint visible in old photographs, with new additions like the Indian bean tree with broad green leaves, introduced to create a bit of shade in hot weather. John loves the fragrance and abundance of David Austin roses, and bright yellow ones make a first appearance here, by the house.Water is a natural feature of the garden, flowing from a small underground reservoir in the hillside above the house, so ponds crop up everywhere. ‘This is bindweed, which gets all over the place,’ John says of a density of foliage round the first pond that is threatening to obliterate the statues. In its defence, he says, ‘But I quite like the flowers, and actually it looks all right here.’ Which it does.

Four ancient yew trees have merged into one imposing structure, creating an umbrella of shade. The stream turns up again to feed a formal rectangular pond in front of a stone temple currently under construction and awaiting its dome. It will be serenity itself in this quiet corner, a site that really lends itself to this sort of structure, John reflects.