Member of Brockenhurst WI went on a trip to Furzey Gardens in Minstead, New Forest that was postponed form 2021.

Despite being local, several members confessed that they hadn’t visited Furzey Gardens before and they were in for a treat!

Karen Mc not only organised the outing, but she also laid on a beautiful sunny evening!

The head gardener gave us a talk about the gardens – the history and the future plans. We found out that it is a ten acre woodland garden which is part of Minstead Trust. It is an informal garden with lots of features such as fairy houses, winding paths and thatched huts The philosophy of the garden is training and support to provide people with learning difficulties with work experience.

The head gardener also told us how they had entered and won a prize at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2012 and the logistics involved with this.

After the talk, we had tea and cake.

We then had the opportunity to walk around the grounds and enjoy the variety of plants and shrubs, both native and those grown from seeds from further afield.

We enjoyed seeing the thatched huts, one of which was part of the Chelsea Flower Show Garden.

We spotted some of the great fairy houses, including a fairy school.

The gardener told us that gardens are at their best in May and June and I’m sure many of us will be back to view them then too.

Thank you Karen for organising the trip.