The Sensory Garden

Modern life can sometimes bombard us with information, causing a sensory overload. Our garden is designed to bring the visitor a sense of calm, with spaces to sit and relax. 

At the bottom of the garden is our beautiful pond which supports wildlife such as amphibians, insects and visiting birds and bats. 

A garden for the senses

Sight – we have used soft greens, calming blues and purples across the garden 

Sound – grasses have been planted to create a soft sound when caught by a breeze 

Smell – included in the garden are sage, rosemary and verbena. Rosemary is said to help clear the mind with a reviving effect for tiredness; Sage and verbena are said to have a tonic effect on the nervous system, calming nerves and bringing a renewed vitality.

Touch – Soft lamb’s ear and many clumps of grasses have been planted within easy reach so their textures can be enjoyed by wandering hands.

A simple meditation

Enjoy a moment of mindfulness with this simple exercise.

Find a comfortable, seated position, take a deep breath then let it go. 

Now turn your attention to your senses, spend a few minutes focussing on each one;

• what can you see?
• what can you hear?
• what can you smell? 

Now pay attention to your natural breath for a few minutes before you return to your day.

 You’ll notice some unusual structures in the garden. These have been installed to create important homes and habitats for bees and other insects so please do not disturb them. 

Bumblebee nests

These upturned, half buried pots, filled with dry grass provide a home for bumblebees (many are ground nesters). 

Bug wigwams

Our wigwams, layered with twigs and plant cuttings are providing a home for many insects, including beetles and woodlice.

Bee posts

We’ve drilled holes into these posts to provide nests for solitary bumblebees - if you see any of the holes blocked up, these are likely to have bee eggs inside.