************* Garden Owners, Please copy this information and paste it into an email to: wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us. Regards, Armchair Travel Co Ltd http://www.armchair-travel.com ************* Garden Name: Barnsdale Gardens Last Modified: 09/02/2010 Garden ID: 0574 pic: 0574_Barnsdale_Knot.jpg Owner: Catherine Hamilton Address: The Avenue Exton Postcode: LE15 8AH County: Rutland tel: 01572 813200 fax: 01572 813346 website: www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk email: office {at} barnsdalegardens.co.uk Features: 38 individual small gardens and features. Extensive nursery and plant sales. Featured on Geoff Hamilton's TV Gardens programme. English Heritage Grade: Opening Times: March - May, September & October: 9am - 5pm June - August: 9am - 7pm November - February: 10am - 4pm (closed 24th & 25th December) Best Times of Year to Visit: To see: National Collection: National Garden Scheme days: No Comments: Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: Viewing by Appointment: Yes Comments: House Open for Viewing: No Comments: Admission Prices: Summer (March - October): Adults £6; Concessions £5; Children £2.00; Family (2 Adults + 3 Children) £15. Winter (November - February): Adults £4.50; Concessions £3.50; Children £1; Family (2 Adults + 3 Children) £10.50. Groups:There is a special reduced rate for pre-booked parties of more than 10 paying adults. Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: Yes Lunches: Yes Teas: Yes Refreshments: Yes Picnics: No Dogs allowed: No Only on Lead: No Events: Yes Other Facilities: Weddings can be held in the gardens. There are two reservable parking spaces, in the shade and with waterbowls, for visiting pets. Free weekend activity days - year-round menu of courses and events:- eg. bird watching using the woodland nest box cameras, themed garden trails, many arts and crafts workshops. Music events, art exhibitions and painting and photography classes. Designer: Geoff Hamilton Description of Garden: Barnsdale Gardens is a joy to visit; 38 themed gardens, ponds and woodlands nestled in a quiet corner of the beautiful Rutland countryside, but just 10 minutes from Stamford and the A1. Made famous by Geoff Hamilton and the BBC's Gardeners' World, it is Britain's largest collection of individually designed gardens, and whether your interests include gardening, photography or simply a stroll in the sunshine with a great lunch in our friendly tea room, there is something for everyone. The enormous variety of planting styles at Barnsdale has been likened to a 'theme park for gardeners' and visitors will recognise many of the famous TV garden 'sets'; the Cottage Gardens with their compost bins disguised as beehives; the Reclaim Garden with its sculptures made from old lawn-mower parts and the serene Paradise Gardens which were Geoff's last projects. Added to these are new developments such as the Japanese and Mediterranean Gardens, a large nursery specialising in quality, unusual plants, and (new for 2010) a Children's Garden designed by local primary school pupils History: Familiar to millions of BBC2 viewers, Barnsdale was the home of Geoff Hamilton, Gardeners' World's popular presenter from 1983 to 1996 who was voted 'Britain's Favourite Television Gardener'. He championed many good causes, in particular organic gardening and the use of peat-free alternatives, and today the garden is still totally run on Geoff's organic principles by his son Nick. Historically the gardens were created as a facility by which Geoff could instruct, inform and entertain viewers every Friday night and these three principles are still very much the vision the Barnsdale team work to. But the capabilities of this wonderful garden have been extended further and Barnsdale now offers weddings, corporate functions and bespoke tours. Just over twenty years ago this remarkable site was little more than a ploughed field and since then tens of thousands of visitors, gardeners and non-gardeners alike, have come to marvel at this fantastic work of gardening art. Now Nick Hamilton continues the work started by his father, ensuring that the gardens, although constantly evolving, always retain that 'Barnsdale' feel. Local Inns: Accomodation: Restaurants: Village/Town/Sightseeing: