From April to October you can book a ticket to visit the Orchard Plant Library and Barn Garden on the first Tuesday of each month. All money raised will go directly to Sunnyside Rural Trust, a local charity that we are working in partnership with to develop a propagation nursery in the Orchard to grow a range of perennials for commercial sale, whilst providing horticultural training to people with learning disabilities.
The Orchard Plant Library is part of the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health, a not-for-profit offering resources to local schools, charities and local residents who want to get involved in gardening. The Orchard Building is currently under construction, so visits to the garden must be supervised.
The Barn Garden has been developed by Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith since 1987 and has gradually expanded out from the areas around the house, surrounded by a native meadow of trees and wildflowers, plus a courtyard evolved from Tom's 2006 Chelsea garden and an exotic meadow sown in 2011.
Visits include an introduction to the Plant Library with Millie Souter (Head Gardener at the Orchard) and the Barn Garden with Brian Maslin (Head Gardener at the Barn).
Tickets must be booked in advance online and are non-refundable.
Visits from 10am-1pm, free parking, assistance dogs only.
Please note, there are many potential trip hazards and uneven surfaces that may be encountered whilst visiting the gardens, along with gravel paths that aren't suitable for walking frames with wheels. The gardens are extensive so there's a lot of ground to cover. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works at the Orchard, there may be additional hazards to look out for.
