Opening on selected dates from April to October, the public can book a date to visit the charity’s seven gardens across the UK. The gardens were created by landscape designers, such as Cleve West (South West), James Alexander-Sinclair (Scotland), Joe Swift (Stoke Mandeville), Bunny Guinness (Midlands), Tom Stuart-Smith (London & South East), Sarah Price (Wales), and Andy Sturgeon (Northern Ireland).
Led by the charity’s Head Gardeners, the private tours offer a special opportunity to explore these rarely opened gardens and immerse in the beautiful, restorative sanctuaries designed to nurture the wellbeing of people after life-changing spinal injuries. Visitors will also learn more about the charity’s vision to sustainably grow a thriving Horatio’s Garden in all 11 NHS spinal injury centres in the UK, and the positive impact gardens and gardening have on wellbeing.
Tours cost £20-£25 per person, the proceeds thereof will directly benefit the charity’s vital work to support patients and their loved ones rebuilding their lives following a devastating spinal injury.
Dr Olivia Chapple, Founder & Chair of Trustees of Horatio’s Garden said: “Led by our brilliant team of Head Gardeners, the tours will offer a rare opportunity to discover these beautiful, award-winning gardens created by world class designers and see how these environments can have a huge impact in supporting physical and mental health.”
To date, Horatio’s Garden have opened seven beautiful gardens in the NHS spinal injury centres in Salisbury, Glasgow, Stoke Mandeville, Oswestry, Stanmore (London), Cardiff and Belfast, with work due to begin on the charity’s eighth garden in Sheffield in May 2024. A distilled version of this eighth garden, designed by Harris Bugg Studio, won a Gold Medal and Best in Show at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023.
Booking is advised as spaces are limited. For all the booking and visit details, see Horatio’s Garden Tours.