New for our tour programme in 2023, we are opening the gates to Marchmont Gardens with tours from our Head Gardener, Toby Loveday. A treat for keen gardeners and enthusiasts, this tour will take in all the main features as well as focus on the works being done to develop the gardens. With a different emphasis to our Outdoor Sculpture Tour, this guided walk through the gardens will allow guests to learn about the history of these glorious gardens and how they are now being moved forward by our Garden Team.
The gardens play an integral part in the history of Marchmont and have been continually evolving over many decades. During its peak in the late 19th and early 20th century, the gardens would have contained beautifully manicured ornamental beds and borders along with productive areas within the walled garden, providing fruit and vegetables for the house.
However, as with many other similar gardens throughout the UK, they experienced a gradual decline during the years following the second world war, with many of the borders being grassed over to ease the burden of their maintenance.
On completion of the house’s restoration in 2018, a plan was put in place to breathe new life into the gardens, with the hope that they could once again be a beautiful and productive part of the Marchmont experience.
The gardens currently include a woodland walk, featuring a large selection of spring and summer flowering trees and shrubs, croquet lawn, sunken garden and walled garden containing among many things, a fully restored Mackenzie and Moncur glasshouse. A programme of work has been scheduled and these existing features of the garden will be gradually improved and added to over the next few years.
The garden also provides a home for a collection of classical and contemporary sculpture with a different piece waiting to be discovered around every corner. There is an opportunity to return the gardens to a place of beauty and sustainable production. On the Head Gardener's Tour you will see the work being done to nurture these beautiful spaces.
This is an outdoor only tour so we recommend comfortable footwear and a rain jacket for unpredictable weather. You will be outdoors for two hours and the ground may be uneven.
Tours begin at the advertised time, however the doors will open 20 minutes earlier when tea, coffee and wonderful homemade shortbread will be served to suit your arrival.
We do not allow dogs on any of our tours, including the garden tours, other than registered assistance dogs.
Our normal cancellation period is 7 days in advance. Please note that fees are non-refundable however we will do our best to offer a refund or a credit for a later date, please do get in touch.
Should we cancel the event for any reason you will receive a complete refund.
A wide variety of tours are run regularly throughout the year.
Subscribe for the latest news and developments at Marchmont House.