Welcome to our web site

We've created this web site to share some of the stories, the history and activities - both past and present - that make Bickleigh Vale village a unique and special place. It started with Edna Walling's vision back in the 1920s when she started building the original properties and creating the landscape and gardens that live on today in the place Edna named, "Bickleigh Vale."

Edna's legacy lives on in The Place, The Heritage and The Community that is Bickleigh Vale village today.

Our About Us page will tell you more.
Our Quick Find Index will show you at a glance what we have on our website and take you straight to the topic you are interested in.
If you visit us to stroll along the lanes, you can park your car in Pembroke Road but there is one thing we ask - please respect the privacy of the residents - THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE GARDENS.

What is happening at Bickleigh Vale Village?

The best autumn in 20 years
The early autumn rains have have brought an abundance of colour to the village. The new maples at Badgers Wood looked stunning, particularly with the oak in front of Whistlewood in colour at the same time. The massive pin oak at Wimborne was a treat for visitors walking up to Edna Walling Lane, along with the smoke bushes, elms and maples nestled in the gardens.

Open Gardens

Occassionally, some of the Bickleigh Vale gardens are open to the public, or to private tour groups.

No open gardens are currently planned.  Tour groups of 20 or more are welcome.  Please use the contact form below.

Heritage

Bickleigh Vale was given heritage protection in 2004.

The Place

Recognised by The National Trust and declared a “Classified” Landscape, Bickleigh Vale is also recognised as “an area of special significance” by the Yarra Ranges Shire.

Edna's Vision

In the 1920’s, still in her mid-twenties, one of Australia’s first landscape designers, the English born Edna Walling, created a village in the ‘English style’ of approximately 12 ha around her own residence ‘Sonning’.

Prospective owners were required to agree to Edna Walling’s involvement in the design of their cottages and gardens, with all plants supplied from her nursery at ‘Sonning’.

Today, more than 80 years later, Edna's vision continues to be realised through a community of like-minded people.

The Community

When Edna Walling left Bickleigh Vale in 1967 and moved to Buderim, Queensland, property owners – now ‘Friends of Edna Walling’ – became caretakers of the village, including its roadside verges.
Bickleigh Vale today is a thriving village community within suburban Melbourne