Gardens to Visit in 2008
Here is a short list of good-quality private wildlife gardens in the UK. Gardens like these are rare and special and are the work of dedicated and enthusiatic owners.
Please check their websites carefully for latest details of open days (which can change at the last minute) and how to get there. Bear in mind that all of these are private gardens around private homes, and visiting is only possible on the dates and times given on their websites. Please don't just 'turn up' when the garden is closed, expecting to be shown round. In some cases openings are for charity through the National Gardens Scheme (NGS). Gardens in the Republic of Ireland are listed on the Europe page.
Waltham Place Farm, Church Hill, White Waltham, Berkshire SL6 3JH
01628 825517 www.walthamplace.com
Garden open on Wednesdays and Fridays only, 10am-4pm, from May to September. Check website for more details. Formal garden, part of a larger estate now an organic farm. Garden re-designed a few years ago by Henk Gerritsen of Priona Garden in the Netherlands. Looked after following wildlife-friendly principles. An example which many large formal gardens could follow. I really recommend a visit to this fascinating garden - it is quite unique and unlike other wildlife gardens. The village of White Waltham lies between Maidenhead and Bracknell. There is a regular bus service. Get off in village centre and take footpath across fields towards old parish church, or walk up Church Hill. Entrance to Waltham Place is a bit further along Church Hill, past the church.
A Garden for Butterflies, Lincolnshire (Mr Phil Bowler) http://homeforbutterflies.moonfruit.com/
Set amidst unpromising acres of intensive agriculture in Eastern Lincolnshire, this garden shows what you can do if you grow the right plants in the right way. Visits by appointment only - Mr Bowler's contact details are on his website.
Merryweather's Herbs, near Herstmonceux, East Sussex (Mr and Mrs O'Halloran) www.morethanjustagarden.co.uk
01323 831726
Please check owners' website for 2008 details. Set deep in rural East Sussex down a flower-filled lane, a herb nursery and a wildlife garden to a formal design. The owners also provide one-day courses in wildlife gardening, full details on their website.
Sticky Wicket, Buckland Newton, Dorset (Mrs Pam Lewis)
www.stickywicketgarden.co.uk
This garden will not be open to the public in 2008 or 2009. For more info see the garden's website.
Forest Edge, near Andover, Hants (Mr and Mrs Beeson)
www.forest-edge.co.uk 01264 364526. Interesting plantings of wild flowers in garden borders, and beautiful wildflower meadow areas, some of the most successful 'garden meadows' that I have seen. Open to groups only in 2008.
This is also a bed and breakfast.
If you know of any more good-quality wildlife gardens that are open to the public, please email me.
© Marc Carlton 2008. You are welcome to print this page for personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes only. Re-publication without permission is prohibited.
