spetchley-park-estate-and-gardens

Artist in Residence

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:36:37 GMT

Say Hello to our new Artist in Residence

The Steve said "I can't tell you how proud I am to have this honour bestowed upon me. Following in the footsteps of some fantastic artists in the past, I will do my level best to uphold the highest standards with such a prestigious position, and further promote the world famous Spetchley Gardens, local art within the region, and artists young and old, where and when I can. I firmly believe there is a direct link between the effect people experience at the site of a beautiful garden in full bloom, and with a piece of vibrant colourful artwork that catches your eye. So, hopefully I can provide many more reasons to visit one of Worcestershire's most beautiful attractions. "body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Steve has his new exhibition in the Gardens June 14th and 15th 2025

Future Dates for 2025 are July 26th and 27th and September

Something new at Spetchley Gardens

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:22:15 GMT

Exciting news !

Exciting News — Fee & Her Skin Food Team Are Coming to Spetchley Gardens! ��✨

We’re thrilled to share that Fee and her expert Skin Food team are now bringing their unique, plant-powered skincare experience to the stunning surroundings of Spetchley Gardens.

Specialising in natural, results-driven facials and holistic spa treatments, Fee and the team are passionate about helping you glow — inside and out. Whether you’re visiting the gardens for a peaceful escape or seeking some well-deserved self-care, you’ll soon be able to unwind with nourishing treatments inspired by nature.

to celebrate, we’ve got a special opening offer just for you!

�� Fee’s Signature Treatment

A 60 minute head-to-toe ritual for glowing skin and total relaxation.

Includes:

✔️ Fee’s wellness Facial

✔️ Back, neck & shoulder massage

✔️ Scalp massage to melt away stress

Perfect for dull, tired or stressed-out skin — and minds.

�� Opening Offer: £65 (normally £80)

�� Now at Spetchley Gardens Stable Yard

�� Book at: www.feeskinfood.com

Email:info@feeskinfood.com

Let nature nourish your skin — we can’t wait to see you at Spetchley! ��

Letterpress Project will be at Spetchley every 3rd Sunday starting May 15th

SBird@spetchleygardens.co.uk (Sarah Bird) — Sat, 07 May 2022 08:33:27 GMT

Amazing Alice: A Sun-Drenched Easter Treat

Here at The Letterpress Project we’ll remember Easter 2022 for two things: beautiful warm weather and our first partnership collaboration with Spetchley Park Estate, who open their wonderful gardens to the public throughout the spring and summer months.

Spetchley decided to give their Easter attraction an Alice in Wonderland theme and had engaged a small group of actors to perform a drama based on Carroll’s story to entertain the visitors . We were thrilled to be able to offer Spetchley the chance to host our very own exhibition of Alice in Wonderland collectables and memorabilia – Amazing Alice - as an extra visitor attraction. As people left the exhibition they could then browse our exciting children’s bookstall and take away a bargain read.

It turned out to be a great long-weekend!

Good Friday was a truly perfect British early summer’s day with a clear blue sky and temperatures nudging the middle 20s. The visitor slots were fully booked and the atmosphere was humming with excited children and parents, grandparents and carers.

The Amazing Alice exhibition was housed in the refurbished Heritage Centre and a constant trail of visitors browsed the range of collectables on display and admired the mix of books, dolls, ceramics and ephemera before going on to snap up a book bargain or two from the stall.

Each of the four days had their own special atmosphere and the whole Park remained busy right up until 5.00 pm on Holiday Monday when the event finally came to a close.

So to have such a buzzing Bank Holiday weekend with sun and fun after the past two miserable pandemic years was a real treat for everyone. And, as if to underline the fact that we had been blessed with the best that British weather can do, as we packed the final boxes in the car and drove away, a small splattering of rain began to fall………

I’m delighted to say that Amazing Alice was just the first of our partnership collaborations with Spetchley Park because we’ll be back! On the third Sunday of each month we’ll be running a small book sale in the Learning Centre where visitors will be able to browse a range of children’s and adult books at pocket money prices.

Terry Potter

April 2022

Peony Season has started

SBird@spetchleygardens.co.uk (Sarah Bird) — Sat, 07 May 2022 08:06:06 GMT

Our Tree Peonies are in full bloom and the Herbaceous Peonies are now in full bud, and ready to burst into bloom any day.

Spetchley Gardens is well know for our range of different and unusual varieties and numbers of peonies in the Gardens. Now is the time to visit if you want to see them in their full glory, through till June.

Garden opening times are 10.30 am till 5pm Wednesday to Sunday.

Artist in Residence

SBird@spetchleygardens.co.uk (Sarah Bird) — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 20:11:05 GMT

Nicky Currie our Artist in Residence

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Nicola Currie as our Artist in Residence here at Spetchley.

The Gardens are an artist’s haven showcasing its character, light, and theatre, and providing an abundance of creative opportunity - from beautiful landscapes to botanical gems – not forgetting the wonderful wildlife.

Henry Berkeley is especially excited, as Nicola’s appointment comes at a time of great change as his own evolution of the Gardens starts. This follows on from his father, John Berkeley and the Garden’s great originator Rose Berkeley and her sister Ellen Wilmott (the recipient of the first Victoria Medal of Honour awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1897).

Information on Nicola Currie
Nicola is an oil painter specialising in still life and botanical art. She studied Fine Art at Worcester University and has exhibited widely in the UK. For 15 years Nicola combined her art practice with teaching and was the part time Head of Art at New College Worcester. Since September 2020 she has worked full time as an artist.

Quote from Nicola
“My art is inspired by the colours of the natural world. I am grateful to Henry Berkeley for the opportunity to explore the life of the gardens through the year, and I look forward to sharing my paintings with Spetchley’s many visitors.”

The first Exhibition of Spetchley Inspired Art by Nicola was a great success. Thank you to all of our visitors who supported the exhibition, by visiting and perhaps purchasing, we really enjoyed having Nicola and her wonderful paintings at Spetchley. For the latest news and more on Nicola's work visit Website www.nicolacurrie.co.uk

Nicola is holding 2 exhibitions this year at Spetchley.

The first will be at the Cart Sheds from the 27th or May to June 3rd entrance is free and comes as part of your gardens admission fee.

The 2nd will be in September 23rd to 25th , entrance is free and comes as part of your gardens admission fee.

Rose Berkeley's Centenary Year

SBird@spetchleygardens.co.uk (Sarah Bird) — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 20:10:42 GMT

Find out about the influence Rose had on the Gardens at Spetchley

This year we will be commemorating the centenary of Rose Berkeley’s death. Rose Willmott married Robert Valentine Berkeley in 1891. She was the younger sister of Ellen Willmott, the influential plant collector and first lady to be awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Victorian Medal of Honour. The anniversary of Rose’s death happens coincide with the launch of a new book about her sister, Ellen, who has been written with the assistance of our very own archivist Karen. We have a full season of activities planned, some wonderful talks, an exhibition about Rose’s influence in the Garden and a brand-new garden Trail reflecting Rose’s design impact.

Rose was the architect of much of the garden’s design and her influence is very evident in the Gardens today, from the use of the Fountain Gardens where she grew and bred daffodils, to the layout of the huge herbaceous borders which surround the Kitchen Garden. Throughout she was assisted by her sister Ellen. We invite you to participate in our wonderful celebration of Rose Berkeley’s life and her influence on the Gardens during this season.

There is an exciting timetable of events that is just being finalised and will appear shortly on our whats on section of our website.

Spring Flowers

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 14:27:14 GMT

Spring is a glorious time in the Gardens.

The Gardens burst into life during Spring, come and see the carpets of spring flowers and bountiful blossom. In March and April.

New Head Gardener at Spetchley

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 10:30:03 GMT

Meet Chris Miller, Spetchley's new Head Gardener

Chris Miller, has worked at Spetchley for 10 years and this February was appointed as its New Head Gardener. We chat to Chris and he tells us about his interest in gardening and his plans for Spetchley in 2022.

Tell us a bit about how you got into gardening

I have always been interested in gardening; as a young child I often grew solenostemon and would sell them for charity to any available adult (teachers, relatives, friends‘ parents, baby sitters). I’ve worked at Spetchley for over 10 years. Prior to that I also worked at National Trust Snowshill Manor, National Botanical Garden of Wales, National Trust Waddesdon Manor, Sutton Place and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

What’s your favourite part of the gardens at Spetchley?

I love plants and all things garden related. My favourite area of Spetchley is the Fountain Garden; steeped in history, it contains some wonderful specimen plants and the surrounding hedge provides a sense of quiet intimacy. That being said, one of the reasons Spetchley is so special is it has so many areas of interest.

What do you have planned for 2022?

Spetchley is a dynamic garden, making it an exciting place to work. Specific projects, this year will include extending our collection of heritage daffodils and working to increase the range of vegetables we grow in the Walled Kitchen Garden, hopefully to supply our Coffee Shop with fresh fruit and vegetables. Also, I think it’s important to put the garden on a more sustainable footing and we aim to do more composting.

The Wall around the Kitchen Garden has been under repair during the closed season and repair work will continue throughout the coming years, you will be able to see the work as it progresses sympathetically in tune with the Garden planting and its invertebrate residents.

We have also installed a brand new fruit cage, this reflects how the kitchen garden would have been and the Team and I, intend to grow lots of lovely soft fruit .

Do you have a favourite plant?

I don’t have a favourite plant. Why restrict ones taste, when so many can enchant? At Spetchley we have many fabulous peonies and unrivalled swathes of lilies and Tulipa sprengeri . I do have a soft spot for alpines; especially high mountain plants, chasmophytes unwilling to grow at lower altitude, what a beguiling challenge to gardeners.

Kitchen Garden Wall Appeal.

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:30:02 GMT

DONATE - Can you support us ?

DONATE NOW

Take your place in Spetchley's story by helping to give the nation's heritage a future.

Your support plays a vital role in keeping The Garden alive. Our historic places may have stood for hundreds, even thousands of years, but without on-going care, we will lose them to time and the elements. As a charity we rely on your generosity to ensure that as many people as possible enjoy the buildings, landscapes and objects that tell the story of England over the past 6,000 years. However you choose to support us, you’ll be helping ensure future generations can enjoy nature, beauty and history forever