MAPPERTON Gardens near Beaminster have been listed fourth in a national Top Ten list of the Greatest British Gardens.

The writer Clive Aslet, editor at large for Country Life magazine and a countryside campaigner, described Mapperton as “a dream of England at its loveliest.”

He wrote: “The garden opens out like the set of a grand opera, descending the valley by stone steps and stately terraces, on which a chorus of topiary yew shapes assemble around stone-lined canals.”

His overall verdict: “Perfection”.

And it’s true, in spring sunshine, with bulbs and buds and birds aplenty, it looks glorious.

But what it is like to work in such a place, especially when seekers after beauty descend in great numbers?

A lovely affectionate new blog by Maddie Grigg recounts life in the Mapperton Pot Shop.

“With 70 guests by four o’clock, I have no time for lunch and only a quick visit to the lavatory.

“Lord Sandwich towers above a party of ladies as he takes the group on a tour of the house.

“A steady stream of visitors to the shop buy plants, Ulster Weavers aprons and pretty notebooks.

“People sit outside the cafe, enjoying the sun and a cream tea.

“By 4.30pm, even the bantams have had enough, going to bed early and settling down to roost in the old yew tree next to the church.

“It’s been a busy day and I’m pooped.

“But I managed to get the till to balance this week.”

You can find out what an achievement that last line represents by clicking on this link here. There’s some fine pictures too, including one of an Indian Runner.