The garden is now available for everyone in the community to enjoy. It is free.
This project has been made possible by the following people and we would like to thank them for their support:
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Surrey Gardens Trust
John Moran and our team of amazing garden volunteers
West Horsley Parish Council
East Horsley Parish Council
Stevenson Family Trust
And our other generous supporters
Over the last year Matt, our Estate Manager, Jo, our Arts, Heritage and Learning Coordinator, and a team of garden volunteers have been working to create the garden. Everything was recycled from the estate, including wood for the raised bed and plants which were transported or propagated.
Our sensory garden is a mindful and creative space which we hope to make as accessible as possible. To develop the garden we consulted a group of 11 blind and partially-sighted people and their carers, and members of our access panel who face a variety of different access barriers.
Participants wanted there to be “plants that you can walk through”, “big blocks of colour for a visual contrast, "interesting details” and “banks of smells” included in the garden. “Benches for sitting and reflecting” were also important.
Encouraging wildlife like birds, insects and hedgehogs to use the garden was also important in order that the project supports our sustainability goals.
We hope you will come by soon and enjoy the garden.
