Picton Castle and Gardens

Open and Covid Prepared

We are So Happy to welcome People back to Picton

From my post in the car park (peeping over the top of my mask) it has been lovely to greet familiar faces, chat with new visitors and to listen to the wild laughter of the children on the Jungle Boardwalk. After so many months at home, it has been lovely to see people once more.

Everyone seems to have really enjoyed being out and about in the fine weather. We’ve had lots of happy ‘picnicers’, plenty of waggy-tailed dogs, excited children and romantics enjoying their own ‘couple bubbles.’ A particular congratulations to all those parents and grandparents I met last week; from newborns to teens, we’ve made it this far, phew!

Thanks to all of those visitors who let me take their photos, which was great as I was probably a strange sight in orange high-vis popping out at them from behind bushes when they least expected it!

Hidden Gems In the Garden

As you are no doubt aware the Castle is currently closed. However, this is a great moment to explore parts of the gardens most people miss. Why not visit the insect houses and reptile homes in the Wildlife Corner? It is amazing how many people never find the secluded Dew Pond, both ice houses, the bee hives, or the Garden of Grasses. We have a new wildflower meadow in front of the Castle. There are a number of art works dotted around the gardens to keep your cultural juices flowing and for those who are feeling brave, why not have a look for the little pet cemetery at the front of the Castle, (I can’t make any promises but you should get out of there alive!).

Whilst the garden has been so quiet this spring, there has been an exciting discovery down in the solitude of the Peach Woods: fairies have built their homes in the trees! As each little pixie is unique in their own way, so are their doors. Their woodland homes are dotted here and there across the woods, waiting to be discovered…

Since we closed in March there have been lots of changes in the Walled Garden and the restoration is progressing apace. The Bat Hotel is finished, work has begun in earnest on the renovation of the gardeners’ cottages and the ever popular giant stone pineapples are back. The walls are positively alive bustling with builders, and the collections of beards is pretty impressive too.

The Walled Garden is still open and is particularly spectacular in high summer.

Summer Inspiration

Although we already have a lot open, we are planning on doing more. Most of the big events that had been planned for the summer have, sadly, had to be cancelled. However, we are intending to take this as an opportunity to explore entirely new ideas and novel activities in the garden. So keep an eye on this blog for regular updates, and do contact us in the comments box below if you have any suggestions.

For now I’ll leave you with a picture of one of our particularly handsome and friendly visitors this week!

 

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