A PROJECT to revitalise the garden at the Nether Stowey home of the great poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge is at last bearing fruit.

On Tuesday, a number of apple trees were planted in the garden of Coleridge Cottage in the first stage to transform the area into both a productive plot and a peaceful space to reflect on Coleridge's time in the village.

The scheme is being led by the National Trust, Nether Stowey Parish Council, Stowey Gardeners, Bridgwater College and Nether Stowey Primary School.

The fruit trees were especially chosen to reflect varieties Coleridge himself would have known - the 18th century Somerset varieties of Bridgwater Pippin, Tom Putt and Hoary Morning.

The next stage in the project will be to create two allotments, which will be tended by pupils from the primary school.

There are also plans for a wild flower garden, comfortable seating and a lime tree bower - the subject of one of Coleridge's famous poems.

The trust is hoping to open the garden to the public at the start of 2011, the first time it will have been opened in more than 100 years of National Trust ownership.

Stephen Hayes, the trust's administrator for Coleridge Cottage, said: "This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the trust and the local community work together.

"It is very exciting to see how keen everyone is to make this a unique and very special garden."

Peter Greig from the parish council said: "The village community has always been very proud of the heritage of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

"This is a great opportunity for us, particularly the younger generation, to play an important role in bringing Coleridge's garden, which was so important to him during his time here, to life."

Coleridge lived in the cottage from 1797 to 1800, during which time he wrote some of his most famous works, including the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight.

The cottage opened for the new visitor season yesterday (Thursday, April 1).

This will be the first year visitors are able to go into Coleridge's bedroom and have a go at writing poetry with quills and ink.

Pictured at the tree planting are, from the left, David Rogers, Nick Rigden, Stephen Hayes, Dr Wendy Monkhouse and Peter Greig.

Photo: Steve Guscott