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WHATS NEW ‘07?
A third grandchild ’ Beth’ who arrived in July with a shock of black hair and bright blue eyes, she’s whizzing around in a baby walker like a demented Dalek.
We’ve created a Willow Dome in the Fairy Wood for our tiny visitors- ( under 4ft tall) . We thought originally of a little garden shed for our grandchildren and then thought this would be more interesting as a living structure. It took 3 hours to make and cost next to nothing. We sell willow wands for weaving at £1 each 6-8ft long. Please order before November. (Collection only)
We had a lovely couple who came & had their wedding photos taken in the garden one day in June. If you are interested in using the gardens please let us know.
Winter work this year included renovating the summerhouse and hopefully, it will be finished when we open in March.
Mike & I have taken our Basic Food Safety Exam during the winter.
We have achieved Bronze Award with the Green Business Tourism Scheme and we’re working towards a Silver !
THE FUTURE IS GREEN Our greenfile page includes information on all things eco - friendly tips, birds, butterflies, wildlife etc,
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WALKERS & CYCLISTS This area has plenty of walks, bridle paths and cycle path for visitors to the area. We are on the edge of the Great North Forest less than half a mile from Hedley Hall Woods entrance, one mile from Tanfield Steam Railway ( the worlds oldest working railway dating from 1725 ) which runs through picturesque woodland and past the Causey Arch built in 1727.
* We also have a secure area for bikes, just ask in the shop.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT We can now be reached by public transport. Take the x30/x31 and alight at Tanfield Steam Railway use the Bowes Railway path to Birkheads Lane. When you reach the Lane, turn downhill and enter via drive of the Birkheads House. ( From the bus stop approx. a 20 minute walk along a reasonable surface with panoramic views.) Check times with Nexus Travel line 0870 6082608 or Go North East 0845 6060260
BIKERS also welcome we have plenty of parking and serve very good coffee & cakes
DISABLED PARKING for Wheelchair Users We’ve widened all of the nursery paths and installed ramps where we previously had steps. Wheelchair users we’re always ready to help, please ring before coming as we have a separate parking area and will give directions on 07778 447920. We do apologise for not having suitable toilet facilities for you.
GARDEN
ARTEFACTS
We now stock some very interesting garden artefacts, chimney pots,
cattle feeders, implements etc. We can obtain anything on their
website for you within a few days. To look at their website www.gardart.co.uk.
MAIL ORDER PLANTS
Asarum probiscidum Mouseplant £3.50
A. dc Mr Fokker £3.60
Anemone nemorosa Vestal £3.50
Anemone nemerosa Lady Doneraile £3.50
Anemone x lipsiensis £3.50
Anemone pavonina £5
Convallaria majalis Fortins Giant £5 Convallaria maj Rosea £5 Convallaria maj Prolificans
Cyclamen Silver Cloud £3.00
SNOWDROPS ( Galanthus ) Dry bulbs sold in packets in August do not establish well. We sell mail order in ‘the green’ ie lifted after flowering, wrapped in tissue and despatched within 24hours. We also lift some in January and sell from the nursery in March as recently potted plants. Our customers tell us they have good results with both methods.
NB You may have to wait for more unusual varieties as they take much longer to increase and we have had to limit them to one per customer so that everyone gets a fair chance of owning them. Only mature bulbs which have flowered this year are sold. At present we have small amounts of the following specialist snowdrops;
First to flower this year January 9th G. Dionysius Greatorex double £5.50
Single Bulbs G. viridipicis £4, G. woronowii £3.00, G. Brenda Troyle £5.00, G. Atkinsii £3.50 .
G S. Arnott £3 G. Magnet £5. G Elwesii £2 G. Wendys Gold £19.50 G. Ketton £4.00
G. Chedworth £4.50 G. Lyn £6.00 G. Tiny £3.00 G. Warei £9.00
We lift different varieties each year so as not to deplete stocks so if you’re a Galanthophile watch this space next year.
G nivalis x 5 £1.50 G. nivalis flore-pleno (taller than usual double form ) x 5 £2.00
Iris kerneriana £5
Iris innominata £5
Lilium mackinlae £5.00
Oxalis versicolour £3.00
Ranunculus ficaria Randalls White £3.50 Ranunculus ficaria Brazen Hussy £3. R. fic Green Petal £3.00
R.fic Collarette £3.00 R. fic Double Cream £3.00 R. fic Salmon White £3.00 R.fic Double Bronze £3.00
Scilla peruviana £3.50
RARE Variegated Aspidistra £8 mail order despatched January – March. Plants will be bare root and no leaves, we’ve found trying to pack the plants with 15’’ long leaves a bit of a pain so this year we’ll cut off the winter leaves and despatch in jiffy bags ready for you to pot up in a soil based potting compost.
NB All mail order plants are plus p&p Minimum order £12 ( Sorry, but we’re 6 miles from a Post Office)
ENTRY IS FREE TO THE NURSERY & COFFEE SHOP AREAS
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REFRESHMENTS Our tea terraces were well used last year - let’s hope for another warm summer.
By popular demand we now serve a selection of Muffins, Tray bakes, Cookies & Scones all baked locally.
Why not meet your friends here for our freshly ground Pumphreys coffee?
We can now offer Cappucinos, Lattes, Hot Chocolate, Speciality Teas etc as well as the usual filter coffees.
We have free parking, good coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can sit in peace under the ancient vine in the summerhouse or take your drinks into the private topiary garden reserved for thirsty visitors, enjoy the view and listen to the birds? |
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VOLUNTEERS Spare us a little of your time and spend a couple of hours in peaceful surroundings in theraputic activity? Last year we couldn’t cope with the amount of flowers that needed deadheading. Full training given.
WORK EXPERIENCE opportunities exist for students to gain valuable work experience and learn new skills in horticulture.
WE are a registered visitor attraction with One North East and also registered with the Green Tourism Business Scheme
WE CAN NOW
ACCEPT ALL MAJOR PAYMENT CARDS
FRIENDS OF BIRKHEADS join our club
Money saving season ticket gives unlimited visits to the gardens between March & October (applies for 12 months from the date of issue except Red Cross Days)
Holders are also entitled to !0% discount on all plant purchases over £12.00
Don’t forget to collect your sticker from the shop every time you enter the gardens and display it clearly.
ENTRANCE
CHARGES TO THE TWO ACRE SECRET GARDENS apply until March 1st 08
| Adult
Visitors |
£2.50 |
| Child
( 5-15 years) with parent |
£0.50 |
| Friends
Season ticket Adult |
£8.00
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| Friends
Season ticket for Couples |
£14.00 |
Family
Season ticket for Families
2 adults + up to 3 children |
£16.00 |
GROUP VISITS; - PRE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
For parties of 16 or over a free season ticket will be given to the organiser
GUIDED TOURS Your party will be taken around the gardens with the Christine and give the opportunity to have any of your gardening queries answered. Guided tours usually take 90mins – 2hours
UNACCOMPANIED GROUP VISITS Your party will be welcomed by Christine with a short introduction and she will be available to answer questions later in the nursery & coffee shop.
Normal Opening Hours are 10am-5pm
Guided Tours £70 per group - up to ( max) 20 visitors
Unaccompanied Group visits over 20 £2.00 per head
Evening Opening Hours 6pm-10pm
Guided Tours £85 per group up to ( max) 20 visitors
Unaccompanied Group Visits £70.00 per group regardless of number
Coffee Shop
Coffee and refreshments will be available at usual cost for all booked group visits.
For evening visits our coffee shop will be open from 6pm-9pm for visitors who want arrive early.
Please ask for a sample menu when booking.
DOGS
are admitted on the understanding that they are kept on short
leads and their owners clean up any 'accidents'
GARDENING
WHICH included us in their list of ' Inspiring Gardens
with Good Nurseries' and also recommended our 'with the owner
' Garden Tours
FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITIES We have opened the gardens in aid of the Red Cross for sixteen years on Late Spring & August Bank Holiday Mondays. We have also held Macmillan Coffee Mornings for about twelve years, we couldn’t do it without your support so I would like to pass on our thanks to everyone who has helped and supported these events and hope that you will continue to do so.
Red Cross Days .
Late May Bank Holiday Monday 12-5 pm
Late August Bank Holiday Monday 12-5 pm
Macmillan Coffee Morning Last Friday in September 10am-2pm |
