Garden Visits - News
This page contains news and updates about the group. The newest updates are at the top.
Posted on 6th August 2023
Beth Chatto’s internationally renowned 7.5-acre Gardens.
The morning was spent at Beth Chatto’s internationally renowned 7.5-acre Gardens. During her lifetime, Beth Chatto OBE VMH won countless awards for her garden design. She exhibited and won Gold many times at one of the most well - known horticultural shows; the Chelsea Flower Show, and these gardens are her life’s work in plants.
Transformed from challenging terrain into beautiful gardens that provide a living demonstration of how plants thrive when they’re grown in the conditions that suit them best. With an emphasis on “Right Plant, Right Place”, the Beth Chatto Gardens include a spectacular Gravel Garden which is full to the brim with healthy, vibrant, and lush plants. In addition, The Water Garden includes a series of ponds and moisture loving plants.
All plants at Beth Chatto are classified according to their growing conditions which makes shopping for something new in the Plantarea a real treat.
The afternoon was spent at Green Island Gardens “A little piece of Heaven - on Earth”. Green Island Gardens a 20-acre private garden, was professionally designed by its owner Fiona Edmond, the land is laid out as a series of structured gardens displaying a huge range of unusual trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs - A Plantsman’s
Paradise;.
One of the best gardens open to visit in Essex. Featured in Country Living February 2019, The English Garden 2022 and recommended in Great British Gardens 2019 and Essex Days Out as well as being awarded Travellers Choice on TripAdvisor 2022. As well as this, Green Island Gardens has been honoured with becoming a RHS partner garden in 2023. Both gardens were well worth a visit. Jacqui Greenham, convenor
Posted on 8th June 2022
Capel Manor Garden Visit
Our programme of visits is now in full swing. On a sunny and dry day in May we visited Capel Manor in north London, home of an agricultural and horticultural college. This was reflected in the gardens, which had areas of "development" for the students to practice on (weeds)! But lots of interesting history and bits of information about the gardens were shared with us. We also experienced a cafe aimed at students - not the normal homemade teas and cakes!
After lunch we went on to the privately owned Theobalds Farmhouse garden. This was a beautiful 2 acre garden full of interesting "garden rooms" and we were shown round by the owner and chief gardener Alison. It was enchanting, and the tea and cake up to our normal standard!
If you’d like to join us for a future visit please contact
gardenvisits@chalfontsu3a.org.uk
Posted on 10th September 2022
The Savill Garden Visit
On a rather cool day at the end of September 42 members of the garden visits group went to the Savill Garden. This garden is part of the Crown Estate and was established in the 1930s. The group learnt about its history as well as having a guided tour around the garden with its many interesting plants and beautiful areas. The art tour (see picture) was also on while we were there. Lunch was included in our trip- a most enjoyable outing.
If you’d like to join us for a future visit please contact
gardenvisits@chalfontsu3a.org.uk
Posted on 15th June 2022
Suffolk Garden Visit
Our morning visit to Fullers Mill Garden, West Stow, Suffolk, IP28 6HD, includes a private tour of the garden. An enchanting 7-acre garden on the banks of the River Lark. A beautiful site with light-dappled woodland and a plantsman’s paradise of rare and unusual shrubs, perennials and marginals planted with great natural charm. Euphorbias and lilies are a particular feature with the late flowering colchicums, including many rare varieties, being of great interest in Autumn. Refreshments will be available to purchase on arrival.
country.
Lunch will be served on arrival and will include three different quiches, one of which will be vegetarian, Coronation chicken, salads, french bread and butter, dessert, and a glass of wine or soft drink.High-Level Schedule:
08.15 - Leave Chalfont St Peter (comfort break included)
10.30 - Arrive at Fullers Mill Gardens
10.30 - 10.45 Arrival Comfort Break
10.45 - 12.30 Introductions, Exploration & Q&A in the Garden
12.30 - 13.00 Travel to Ousden House, Ousden
13.00 - 14.30 Lunch & Comfort Break
14.30 - 16.00 Tour of Gardens & Q&A
16:00 - 16.15 Prepare for the return journey
16.15 - 18.30 Travel back to Chalfont St Peter, (comfort break included)
The cost of this day trip to Suffolk is approximately £45.50 per person and
dependant on the final numbers.
Please let me know using the contact form, if you would like to come along to Fullers Mill and Ousden House by Wednesday 18th May 2022.
Posted on 27th February 2020
Garden Visits Group Social Event
Here are members of our garden visits group enjoying lunch and a talk on "adding value to your garden- finishing touches" from Patricia Fox, at the Community Centre in February. The programme of garden visits for 2020 was also shared with the group and we're looking forward to lots of interesting outing.
You can view more information about the Garden Visits Interest Group by clicking the link below and the Group Leader can be contacted by clicking the Contact Form button to send an email.
Posted on 4th January 2020
Group Update
We ended 2019 with a very wet, but still enjoyable visit to Wisley to see the Christmas lights. We were relieved that there was a welcoming café, shop and greenhouse to provide some shelter from the downpour!
CU3A’s affiliation to the RHS will continue next year and there will be a further trip to Wisley but in the Summer. This will be open to all CU3A members and we will have free admission to the gardens.
Our programme of events should be available in February when we are holding a social event (lunch and expert speaker) at the Community Centre. (now fully booked!)
Contact gardenvisits@chalfontsu3a.org.uk to join our group