United Kingdom
England
6
The Beautiful 'Field Of Dreams' in Somerset, South-West England
So beautiful, they've called it the Field of Dreams:
Britain's biggest wildflower meadow comes into full bloom with a burst of colour
Britain's biggest wildflower garden has finally burst into bloom with a spectacular
60 different brightly coloured species carpeting the landscape.
Talented Brian Herrick, 59, and wife Denise, 61, have spent years turning this once unsightly and rubbish-strewn field
at the edge of their Somerset estate into their little piece of heaven,
which they've named the 'Field of Dreams'.
The couple, who bought estate Barcroft Hall ten years ago
now have the biggest wildflower garden in the UK,
boasting varieties from all around the world.
Stunning landscape: Louisa Marie, 23, enjoys the thousands of wild flowers
at the Field of Dreams in Barcroft Hall, South Petherton, Somerset, south-west England
Colourful: The bright orange Ursinia is one of the flowers in bloom
at the Field of Dreams along with the much loved golden poppy
Their 'Field of Dreams' masterpiece was inspired by visits to Kew Gardens,
Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch Gadrens, both in Cape Town, South Africa.
It was feared that the variable weather would affect the flowers so the couple were thrilled
to see the first tiny blooms of Californian Bluebells and Goldfields three weeks ago.
Since then, other species have been carpeting the field,
which lies on the stunning 85 acre estate in South Petherton, Somerset, south west England.
They have also planted a Heart of Gold -
a one acre wild flower heart to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
This weekend, visitors will be able to stroll among the sweet smelling flowers
for the first time this year, when the Field of Dreams opens for 2012.
Buzzing with nature: The wild flower meadow is an excellent environment for butterflies and bees
and is also popular with the public drawing 4,000 people last year
Eye-catching: Purple-coloured Scorpion Weed and the Gazania
were planted in the field when work began on the project in 2010
Last year, the meadow was so popular it drew more than 4,000 members of the public
and the couple were moved at the reaction from visitors,
some of whom became tearful at the site of the extraordinary colourful display.
The Herrick's began work on the two acre piece of wasteland in 2010.
Unsightly buildings were removed and tons of rubbish and waste were taken away.
They then rebuilt the road banks and new hedges and trees were planted,
before the land was mole ploughed for drainage and harrowed to create a fine seed bed.
This year, the couple also planted a field of packed full of sunflowers,
just behind the Field of Dreams,
for every person who lost their lives in last year's devastating Japan tsunami.
They were inspired to create the field, which they've called A Ray of Sunshine,
after a recent visit to the disaster-hit country,
where they were inspired to create four wildflower meadows in the north-east of the country.
Enterprising: The owners of Barcroft Hall Estate in South Petherton
purchased and renovated over two acres of disused land to create the 'Field of Dreams'
Bright: Scarlet Flax and Mountain Garland are among the flowers carpet the field
and now the Herricks have been creating wildflower meadows in Japan
Around 16,000 people died when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake
unleased a wall of water which hit Japan's north-east coast.
It is even more poignant as the couple became near victims of the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.
The conservationists were on holiday with their children in Krabi, Thailand when the country was hit
by the giant wave caused by an earthquake. More than 230,000 people died in 14 countries.
Inspiration: The owners were inspired after visiting Kew Gardens,
Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa
Harmony: Scorpion Weed, right, grows happily alongside the Spurred Snapdragon
in the wild flower meadow which is home to 60 species
Mr Herrick said: 'The philosophy of the Field of Dreams in England was that in the current climate
with such strains on families and especially the elderly,
everyone needs and should have a little piece of heaven
to promote harmony, goodwill and understanding.
'This ideal has now been transported to Japan and we sincerely hope
it will help those families who have been subjected to this terrible disaster.'
Entry is free to the Field of Dreams but visitors are asked to make a donation
to one of the couple's chosen local charities.
Heaven: The flower species from around the world were sown
at three grams per square metre to create the awe-inspiring field
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...st-colour.html
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. Unfortunately it doesn't look like it's open this year, but maybe next year I'll dress up like her and go for a visit 
. I love wildflowers.
Originally Posted by Graham
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