Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro

For me - and my first visit was in 1959 - the attraction of Palheiro is that it seems caught in a timewarp. Conceived in Victorian times and lovingly maintained ever since, it has bypassed gardening whims and fashions. No Gertrude Jekyll mixed borders here, nor wildflower meadows, nor waving grasses. But yards and yards of neat pebbled paths, trim box hedges, lily pools, sunken gardens and a glorious collection of trees.
In contrast to the Portuguese love of formal shapes, a series of sinuously connecting ponds dividing the two main elements of the garden seems to have strayed in from an English park. Here and there are reminders of the garden's original construction: vast underground storage tanks, cast-iron water taps, rain-traps. Two huge slabs of Welsh slate - once partitions to the estate's pigsties - form the table tops of an elegant teahouse, which is a recent and welcome addition to the garden. My wife would like to recommend the coffee and Portuguese pastries available there.
If you should take note of one thing at Palheiro it must be the three huge New Zealand Christmas trees (Metrosideros excelsa). Like fabulous creations drawn by Arthur Rackham they twist and turn to the heights, topped by brilliant crimson flowers, aerial roots hanging to the ground. They're breathtaking.
All is cool and pleasant at Palheiro - and far from the madding crowd.
How many stars does it deserve? Let such meretricious ranking be confined to the world of cinema and supermarkets.
Ah, I see I'm not allowed to submit a review without giving it a rating. So it'll have to be five stars!

(5.0/5)

My husband and I thought the 'Blandy' gardens were magnificent. Not overly big (which we liked) but interesting, beautiful and educational - definitely worth a visit. When we return to Madeira we will certainly be going back there.

(5.0/5)

We visited the Blandy's Garden on a trip to Madeira this summer. It was absolutely stunning, so many flowers in bloom, all set in a unique historic setting over 200 years old. I was magical just wandering around the pebbled paths taking it all in, coming across the chapel and lily ponds straight out a fairy tale - I was wondering what might happen if my daughter had kissed on of those frogs! Finally, we ended the tour with a refreshing cup of tea overlooking the golf course. Lovely place, I'd recommend to anyone.

(5.0/5)

One of the great charms of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro is that it still feels like a beautiful private garden. The mesmerising, painstakingly constructed cobbled paths with their swirling patterns of diffent sized stones and geometric designs add to the specialness of the garden. Quite simply something that less personal gardens cannot match. The garden is immaculately kept with a stunning variety of different plants. The trees from all around the world some of which are now giants having been planted hundreds of years ago add to the traquility and sense of history. The views over Funchal and out to sea are spectacular. There is a little tea room at the bottom of the garden beyond two elegant, long-ponds (with a lovely selection of cakes and teas) which provides a peaceful resting point before one works one's way back up the many paths.

(5.0/5)

Catch the Number 37 local bus from Funchal town and 36A to return outside the gates. Visited this garden beginning of July 2009, felt disappointed with it overall when compared with the fabulous Monte Palace gardens having paid the same price entrance fee of 10 euros. This garden is not very big and does not have the vast variety of plants on a big scale either. It does not have excellent views over Funchal, it has a far distant view on the walk back up the drive between trees. Plenty of signs saying private around the house so limited paths to walk. Nice coffee/tea house in pleasant spot by two ponds. Yes it has the sunken garden, topiary and is quite English in design and features, quite pleasant but you can get around it in an hour so did not feel it represented value for money. Did not hit the spectular or wow factor for me. They give a small map on arrival and questionnaire to fill in when you have finished. In very small print it states care required as the paths are slippery when wet, there were few cobbled/stone paths all mainly hard packed bare soil so they have covered their liability should you slip and fall on their inadequate paths ! No camellias flowering as out of season, plenty of agapanthus, it seemed if in doubt plant some more of these as they fill a large gap ok.
Overall opinion - Disappointed that I had made the effort to go there. If you want to see a vast variety of plants and great garden design then opt for the Monte Palace gardens at 10 euros or the Botanical gardens at 3 euros and you will not be disappointed.

(1.0/5)