Reflections on Our Sneak Peek Open Day
On May 10th, we opened the gates of Bothy Gardens for the very first time, and what a day it was. Seventy people joined us for our Sneak Peek event, wandering through paths not yet finished, peering into the greenhouse, and exploring a garden that’s equal parts restoration site and living dream.
To say we were nervous would be an understatement. Even the day before, the event area was full to the brim with trees, and the car park was a forest of fruit trees waiting to be planted in the future orchard. Two skips we had planned to have removed never got picked up, so we camouflaged them behind clusters of potted specimen trees, a touch of chaos hidden behind a curtain of green. But somehow, as it always seems to, it came together. And for several beautiful hours, we got to share not just our progress but our purpose.
Mark gave a heartfelt talk about how far we’ve come, from the day we first ducked under the brambles to now, 2 years since serious work began. I created ten “before” posters for the day, each one showing photos of the spaces when we found them, paired with a glimpse of what they’ve become and what they’re still meant to be. Later, Barry, our beekeeper and a brilliant friend to the project, gave a tour of the hives nestled in the back parkland and shared the wonder of the bees now calling this place home.
We were overwhelmed by the kindness, curiosity, and support of everyone who came. Friends, neighbours, designers, growers, and volunteers — many of whom have been quietly cheering us on from the sidelines — showed up with warm words and genuine excitement. It was humbling. And healing. And hopeful.
This garden has never just been about plants. From the beginning, our vision for Bothy Gardens has been twofold: to build a beautiful, bespoke wholesale nursery that serves designers and developers with rare and remarkable plants and to create a space where learning, growing, and creativity are shared with everyone. We imagine schools visiting to learn about propagation and pollinators. We dream of workshops in the garden library, talks in the orchard, and quiet spaces for creative exploration in every corner.
We know there’s still a long road ahead, but this event reminded us of just how many hands, hearts, and hopeful minds are walking alongside us.
Thank you to every single person who helped us sweep, lift, plant, paint, design, clean, and cover those skips in the final hours. And thank you to everyone who came to share this milestone with us. We’ll be opening again as part of the UK Festival of Lights, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to a Bothy that’s just a little brighter and even more full of life.
Until then, the garden grows, and so do we.
