It’s July! Summer is in full swing, and wow don’t we know it? It’s been hot out there, and rumour has it there’s more to come. Nearly a month has passed since our Dog Show & Family Fun Day, and the team has been busy preparing the gardens and animals for the heatwaves and the start of the summer holidays. So grab your cuppa (or cold drink…) and take a look at what we’ve been up to at The Walled Garden!

The Gardens are Looking Their Best

While there is interest all year round, these months really do offer some of the most diverse, vibrant, and show-stopping blooms here in Moreton – including at our newly designed spaces!

Dahlia Walk is a real highlight. Adjacent to the Bog Garden, this charming new pathway is bursting with colour, boasting beautiful varieties of dahlias lining both borders. It’s a short stroll, but one well worth taking, and an absolutely perfect photo spot.

Elsewhere, the Square Garden and Rose Garden are flourishing. You’ll find cosmos, sweet peas, sunflowers, clematis and, of course, even more dahlias putting on a wonderful display. It’s a lovely spot to pause and enjoy the height of the season.

The White Border, another of our newer additions following its winter and spring refresh, is now coming into its own, with delicate white cosmos beginning to flower.

As you pass the Grass Border, you can’t help but notice the striking Echinacea ‘Hot Summer’, bringing bold bursts of colour among the flowing grasses. Varieties such as Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tales’ and Stipa (tenuissima, gigantea and arundinacea) add texture and movement, but we’re awaiting the yellow tones of Rudbeckia, which won’t be far behind.

Of course, there’s even more to be discovered around our five acres, whether it’s a bed, border, or shaded woodland, take your time to explore, and you’ll be rewarded with something beautiful.

A Haven for Wildlife

Our wildlife pond is really starting to establish itself as a thriving habitat. Regular visitors include Pond Skaters gliding across the surface, while more recent sightings have included Blue Chaser Dragonflies and even our first Adder nearby.

This is an area that has been carefully developed by the EMA students. It’s been wonderful to see their hard work beginning to pay off as wildlife moves in.

Tutor Maxine Jones shared: “We recently starting our end-of-year projects. One of these will be building an owl house, which will be installed within the gardens, as well as creating a ‘Bee Café’ filled with bee-friendly plants to support pollinators over the summer months.”

The students have been continuing to grow their own produce on-site. Visitors can currently purchase rosemary plants and Sisyrinchium in the Plant Sales area, all grown with care by the students themselves.

Keeping Cool at Animal Acre

Over at Animal Acre, the team has been working hard to ensure all our animals remain comfortable during the warmer weather.

Animal Expert Daisy explains: “As with the heatwave earlier this year, we’ve put additional measures in place, from parasols for shade to ice in water bowls, and even gently combing cool water through the goats’ fur to help keep them comfortable.”

These extra steps will continue throughout the summer, particularly on hotter days, ensuring all our animals are happy and well cared for.

There’s also something new for visitors to enjoy: our tortoises, Gizmo, Wilma and Freda, are now making the most of their outdoor run. Previously out of public view, they can now be seen stretching their legs and exploring their sandpit during the day.

What’s on?

Music in the Garden

We recently welcomed viola da gamba player Sarah Small, who performed in the gardens. Even with a little rain on the day, her music created a truly special atmosphere, and we’re very much looking forward to her return on Thursday 6th August.

Sarah shared: “When I’m looking for places to perform, I seek out community hubs. Having cycled through Moreton before, I was curious about what lay behind the wall. When I discovered the work of EMA and The Walled Garden, I knew it would be a perfect stop on my tour. I often find it easier to communicate through music than words, so I hope my performances help connect with the local community and shine a light on the wonderful work happening here.”

We’re incredibly grateful for her support and can’t wait to welcome her back on the 6th August. This is not to be missed!

A Summer in Space Adventure

Families can also look forward to the return of our much-loved summer garden trail. From Saturday 25th July, our Dinosaurs in Space trail invites young explorers to journey around the gardens and Animal Acre in search of hidden planets and a mystery word.

Along the way, you’ll need to keep an eye out for a group of mischievous Compsognathus who have escaped; we’ll need help tracking them all down!

There’s plenty to discover, but there’s no pressure to complete everything; every map earns a prize. Maps are available for £3 from the Entry Hut or the Dovecote Café.

Bouncy Castle Day!

Looking for the perfect summer day out with the kids? Join us on 14th August for a fun-filled Bouncy Fun Play event courtesy of Dorset based inflatables – Get Up & Bounce, designed especially for kids age 11 months to 11 years. Click the image for more details.

Return again and again!

With the summer holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time to pick up a Season Ticket. For £12.50, adults get unlimited entries to the gardens over 12 months from the date of purchase; this includes many of our events too! You also earn two free trail entries and are regularly entered into prize draws; our most recent winners enjoyed Cream Teas for two on a day of their choice.

Season Tickets can be purchased online, or at the entry hut or in the café.

With plenty more events in the pipeline (including something sure to get the children bouncing with excitement), it’s shaping up to be a wonderful summer here at The Walled Garden.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Words from our visitors:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Beautiful gardens with a peacefulness that is sublime. They are wonderful and very well laid out. Lovely cafe too. A hidden gem at just £4 entrance. Somewhere to escape the daily grind and find some refreshing beauty. – TripAdvisor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – I called into the café for lunch and had a great welcome from Lynn and the other volunteers there. – TripAdvisor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ –Absolutely loved this hidden gem. Auntie said the best coffee and walnut cake she had ever had (& she’s 90!) – Google