About
Join us for a unique insight into the ongoing restoration of our Victorian Walled Garden built in 1886 by Belfast industrialist, Thomas Workman, a linen and cotton manufacturer. He built it to supply seasonal fruit and vegetables for his large household in nearby, Craigdarragh House, a beautiful Lanyon designed property
The 1.5-acre garden has high, enclosing walls which were constructed from local handmade red brick internally and Scrabo blue stone externally.
In common with many Walled Gardens of the time, the garden declined after the World Wars through lack of labour. This neglect resulted in the overgrowth of invasive weeds and the rapid deterioration of the gardener’s cottages, the glasshouses and the old surrounding walls.
We started our restoration project in 2007 and since then, a steady programme of work has transformed the site.
Whilst waiting for Planning approval, the gardeners' cottages built on the outer side of the North Wall were in danger of collapsing and were made safe from further decline with the rotting trusses repaired; the arches restored; the roofs re-slated with new Bangor Blue slates and the chimneys rebuilt using salvaged bricks.
Since receiving full planning permission, a steady restoration programme has slowly transformed the site into a productive, organic vegetable, fruit, herb and flower garden and earlier this year, the glass house into a functional space to host our arts, crafts and wellbeing events.
Further building works are soon to commence to restore and develop the cottages into self-catering units for overnight stays in this beautiful setting
We introduced native Black Irish bees to the garden a few years ago, that were once considered endangered, to assist in the pollination of many of the vegetables; fruits and flowers as well as to make delicious raw honey. We also planted willow in the ‘Salley garden’ in the adjacent field which not only provides early spring pollen for our bees but sustainable willow rods for our willow weaving courses.
It is our great privilege to be custodians of this historic gem and we would like to take this opportunity to share its uniqueness with the public
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
