Coach visit to Derry Watkins Special Plants and Iford Manor

This double visit begins with Derry Watkins' garden and nursery which grew out of muddy fields surrounding their house. Derry begins our visit with an introduction about what she, and her architect husband, Peter Clegg, have created. Over 20 years, the garden has grown and bloomed beyond their wildest expectations. Full of unusual plants collected from all over the world, Derry specialises in annual and biennial plants, tender perennials for terrace and conservatory, a range of hardy herbaceous and rockery plants. There are ponds with trickling water; bog and vegetable gardens, an orchard and sculpted hedging to explore. Buying plants from the nursery provides a great opportunity to stock up for summer. Coffee, tea & flapjack included.

By kind permission of Derry Watkins

This is a wonderfully contrasting afternoon visit at Iford Manor (not open), an internationally renown Grade I listed Italianate garden originally created by landscape designer, Harold Peto, from 1899 to 1933. Over the past 50 years, John Hignett and Elizabeth Cartwright-Hignett lovingly restored the gardens of steep terraces with Roman style colonnades, statuary, pools, narrow paths and magnificent rural views. The new generation of owners will give a talk about their plans for the gardens, refreshing the planting and preserving the heritage within the main garden, assisted by the Head Gardener. Tea and Cake included.  Please note there are many steps and uneven paths. 

By kind permission of William and Marianne Cartwright-Hignet

• Friends admission £50, guests £55
• Maximum 40 

Book now using our Booking Form. See our Privacy Policy

For further information, please contact Freya Jones at fobgaticketing@gmail.com or telephone 07472 365 001.