The Gardens at Alby Crafts

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Alby Crafts Gardens are an integral part of the Craft Centre and an important attraction for visitors to enjoy.

Four and a half acres of island beds and borders are separated by wide expanses of grass in which are set specimen trees. The beds contain a wide variety of unusual plants and shrubs of special interest to the knowledgeable gardener. At different times of the year there are profusions of primroses, fritillarias, wild orchids, iris and many others.

Four ponds, a wild area, a small wood, a stream and an island add to the interest as does a fallen poplar - a casualty of the 1987 hurricane - whose branches now grow straight up forming an unusual hedge. The visitor can walk everywhere on the wide areas of grass. The lack of defined paths makes for informality in this calm and quiet garden.

In 1987 half the area was grazing meadow and the other half was a poplar plantation. The planning and planting is down to the inspiration and hard work of Valerie Alston and as with all gardens it is still developing.

Please see our location and entrance fees page, for more details on finding us, opening hours and also current entrance fees.