There’s something quite magical about a secret garden, writes Beth Otway.
Did you know that Farnham has its own secret garden hidden away in the town centre? If you venture towards the back of Sainsbury’s car park in South Street, you’ll have the chance to discover the Victoria Garden for yourself.
A beautifully serene, sheltered and enclosed garden awaits you, a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Victoria Garden is a lovely place to spend a lunch break or the perfect spot to give yourself the chance to recharge your batteries in amongst the flowers of the season, on one of those days filled with errands and seemingly never-ending lists of things to do.
The Victoria Garden features arches clothed with roses, the garden is planted with colourful flowering shrubs and perennials, There’s a low box maze and a mosaic hopscotch pitch for children, so there’s something for everyone, even if admiring a garden is not something you aspire to.
The Victoria Garden has won many Gold and Silver-Gilt Awards in South and South East in Bloom, both individually, as a small park and community garden, and as part of the Farnham town entry into the competition, which won the Gold and Best in Category Awards in Britain in Bloom last year.
As the Victoria Garden’s 20th anniversary approached, the Farnham Swimming Baths Trust had the garden surveyed. Extensive remedial works are now required to ensure that this garden can continue to provide a welcoming place to spend a lunch hour or two in the centre of town.
The people of Farnham raised the money to create the Victoria Garden. It is hoped that the people of Farnham will again support and care for this precious space, a green oasis in the heart of the town centre.
If you’d like to support the Victoria Garden there are many ways you can help. Volunteer gardeners are welcomed – please contact Mrs Sarah Coker 01428 713478. The Victoria Garden requires expensive structural work and the Trustees would welcome donations to fund these necessary works – please contact the Chair of Trustees, Dr Penny Marriott on 01252 714489. Benches can also be dedicated in memory of a loved one – please contact Dr Marriott for more details.
For more details about the Victoria Garden visit www.pumpkinbeth.com, where you’ll find a longer article with more information about this pretty garden.
