News

arty afternoons: natural dyeing with harriet bilton

We’re taking a look at sustainable textiles and natural dyeing in this week’s Arty Afternoon, which happen to be two of artist Harriet Bilton’s creative passions.  To watch and be inspired, please click on the ‘Play’ button below Harriet lives and works in Salisbury and loves to experiment with mixed media, combining textile processes in her work. She has been an artist for 15 years and gained Read the Rest...

work begins in horatio’s garden wales!

We’re excited to announce that work has begun on our brand new project, Horatio’s Garden Wales! Those of you following the project will know that our sixth stunning sanctuary will be situated at the brand new University Hospital Llandough, home to the Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre. The designs have been continually developed since 2019 by award-winning garden designer, Read the Rest...

imogen jackson speaks to a gardening group in ohio!

We’ve made a virtual venture across the pond this month, which was all thanks to Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden Midlands, Imogen Jackson, giving an online talk to a gardening group based in the USA.  It was a particularly exciting event for all of us, but particularly for Imogen, who has penned the short piece about her experience below to mark the occasion.  Happy Read the Rest...

curtis’ story

Meet Curtis. Curtis works in the construction industry. He arrived at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in September 2020, having been involved in an industrial accident which left him paralysed.  Having long had a great interest in birds, it wasn’t long before he discovered Horatio’s Garden London & South East. Since then, he’s visited the sanctuary at least once a day.  “It’s a nice Read the Rest...

a thoughtful gift in horatio’s garden midlands

A little story to go with a thoughtful gift…  Back in December, a patient spending time in the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry spotted some Kilner jars online that she knew would be just perfect for her friend.  However, due to Coronavirus, delivery times were delayed and she knew they wouldn’t make it to her friend Read the Rest...

head gardener ashley is back on bbc radio 4’s gardeners’ question time!

Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden London & South East, Ashley Edwards, has become something of a monthly regular on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and his latest segment is just as encouraging as the rest.  To listen again on BBC Sounds, please click here  You’ll find Ashley’s piece approximately 27 minutes and 24 seconds into the recording.  Alternatively, please tune into Read the Rest...

we host our first webinar: an evening of conversation with horatio’s garden

Yesterday we hosted our very first online webinar event, An Evening of Conversation with Horatio’s Garden, and were absolutely delighted to be joined by over 200 of our incredible supporters.  Our invitees gathered on Zoom for an informative hour of uplifting and insightful stories, which were all about how Horatio’s Garden has been helping patients, their loved ones and NHS staff throughout the past year, whilst also revealing a little more about Read the Rest...

arty afternoons: indian inks and pens with karen camkin

This week we’re experimenting with inks in our new Arty Afternoon video, thanks to a wonderful contribution by landscape and still life artist, Karen Camkin.  To watch and follow along, please click on the ‘Play’ button below Having grown up in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, Karen has spent a lifetime roaming the countryside, which is where her attachment to the natural world developed.  Her appreciation for wildlife and green spaces has Read the Rest...

‘my favourite place’ by head gardener amy moffett

Remarkably, it’s already been a month since Amy Moffett joined the team as Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville and now she’s following in Horatio’s Garden Scotland designer James Alexander-Sinclair’s footsteps by appearing in Garden News magazine!  The ‘My Favourite Place’ feature is always an interesting read and having trained at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, it’s the Palm House that holds a special place in Amy’s heart.  Sharing stories Read the Rest...

head gardener sallie to speak at trellis’ online conference

The arrival of March will hopefully mark the beginning of sustained weeks of warm, spring days, but as well as bringing spells of sunshine it will also bring Trellis’ brand new seminar series!  Trellis is Scotland’s network for therapeutic gardening. From 8th – 12th March, they’ll be hosting an intriguing conference entitled Therapeutic Gardening: Learning from Around the World and our very own Horatio’s Garden Scotland Head Read the Rest...

bunny guinness includes us in the telegraph

This weekend we were absolutely delighted to see Horatio’s Garden appear in the pages of The Telegraph thanks to the wonderful Bunny Guinness.  To read the feature, please click here  (Please note that the piece is unfortunately behind the newspapers’ paywall)  In her regular article for the newspaper, Bunny discusses all that she’s been busy taking care of in her garden throughout the past Read the Rest...

tales from our volunteer poetry group

After a little festive winter’s break, the Horatio’s Garden Volunteer Poetry Group reconvened on Thursday for the first time this year!  The group emerged in lockdown last year thanks to a group of volunteers from across our gardens who prior to the outbreak of Coronavirus had just begun hosting ‘Poetry & Patisseries’ workshops each week for patients, with the support of our Head Read the Rest...

rspb big garden birdwatch

The end of January could only mean one thing and that was the return of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch!  The national nature survey took place across the weekend of Friday 29th January to Sunday 31st January and was simply about spending an hour outside with nature. All participants had to do to be involved was to count the birds seen in their gardens, or from their balconies, during the hour and then share what they found with the RSPB.   The Big Garden Birdwatch Read the Rest...

we’re looking for a garden administrator in horatio’s garden south west

We’re looking for someone to join our brilliant Horatio’s Garden South West team in Salisbury! If you’re interested in finding out a little more about the role and would like to apply, simply scroll down this page for all the relevant details. We look forward to hearing from you! *** Job Description We are seeking an enthusiastic part time administrator Read the Rest...

our wonderful collaboration with loungers

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that our collaboration with Loungers Clothing, who created this gorgeous special edition design of their organic brushed cotton trousers in Horatio’s Gardens’ signature colours, has raised almost £1,000 for the charity! Please click here to shop Loungers are supremely soft and are both ethical and versatile. Their trousers are manufactured in Portugal and are not Read the Rest...

thank you to max reid

The RNOH Charity recently released their winter newsletter, which kindly features the opening of Horatio’s Garden London & South East, along with a reminder of supporter Max Reid’s incredible contribution to the project.  Since suffering spinal malformations around twenty years ago, Max has frequently been treated at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. Consequently, he became passionate about Read the Rest...

scarlett’s story

Meet Scarlett  Scarlett is an active 11-year-old sitting her SATs. She shares her south London home with her Mum and Dad, three sisters and one baby brother. Like many schoolgirls she loves singing, dancing and drama, but loathes spiders and wasps! She has a pet tortoise called Harry. All sounds very normal and all was very normal until one day Read the Rest...

bunny guinness mentions us on bbc radio 4’s today programme

With the announcement that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been moved from May to September for the first time in the world famous event’s 108 year history, naturally the news made this morning’s BBC Radio Four Today programme, as did a mention of Horatio’s Garden!  To hear the segment, catch up on BBC Sounds by clicking here and listen from 2:53:00  With Justin Webb hosting, the presenter Read the Rest...

arty afternoons return with painter karen welsh

Last year we launched our Arty Afternoons series on YouTube to encourage people with spinal injuries, their loved ones and all of our supporters to while away a lockdown afternoon or two getting creative.  To see the series, please click here  A whole host of artists generously gave up their time to film short videos, which we then shared with all of you Read the Rest...

new report: health charities and the nhs. a vital partnership in peril?

A new study reveals how the Covid-19 pandemic has confirmed the vital contribution of health charities to the NHS. It argues that strategic engagement with the charities by health policy makers has declined in recent years and that substantial benefits for the health service as a whole would come with a reaffirmation of this partnership.  The report by Dr Tony Hockley from the LSE and Professor Alison Leary from Read the Rest...

ashley edwards appears on bbc radio’s gardeners’ question time

Following his December appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time programme, Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden London & South East, Ashley Edwards, has once again featured in today’s broadcast!  To listen again on BBC Sounds, please click here  You’ll find Ashley’s piece approximately 29 minutes into the recording.  Whilst last time Ashley was sharing his advice on how to create your own naturally-inspired festive wreath Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden features in korean documentary

Whilst our national reputation has been growing for a while, we’ve recently been delighted to have been given a few opportunities to plant some seeds about Horatio’s Garden among international audiences!  Back in November, we were included in German magazine TASPO GARTEN DESIGN and now we’ve started the new year as we mean to go on by featuring in a Korean documentary promoting the importance of gardening for people Read the Rest...

welcoming head gardener amy moffett & garden administrator debs grigg to horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

The beginning of 2021 marks a bit of a change to the team in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, as we warmly welcome new Head Gardener, Amalia Moffett, and new Garden Administrator, Debs Grigg.  Amalia, known as Amy, is a Kew-trained horticulturalist with a fondness for all things bright and beautiful. She has 15 years of experience working in public gardens Read the Rest...

information about our text to donate service

Texting to donate is one of the quickest, simplest ways to support Horatio’s Garden. Every penny of your generosity counts, helping us to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury.  There are two messages we can use when asking our supporters to text to donate.  We usually use this one, which is for collecting donations only. This means that you will not receive any Read the Rest...

happy new year from horatio’s garden

True to Horatio’s Garden tradition, we’ve created this short video to wish all of our supporters a very Happy New Year. 2020 has been a year unlike any other and many of us, including everyone affected by spinal injury, have faced extraordinarily difficult times. However, your continued kindness and generosity has helped to ensure that Horatio’s Garden will always be Read the Rest...

fill a flower pot for horatio’s garden!

This winter, we’re encouraging you to ease yourself into the New Year on a fun, positive note by joining in with our ‘Fill a Flower Pot’ fundraiser!  It couldn’t be easier to get involved and everyone at home can take part. Simply see how quickly you can fill your flower pot with loose change, tip it out, count it up and donate your total by Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden scotland in the scottish gardening magazine

Horatio’s Garden Scotland is taking centre stage in the winter issue of The Scottish Gardening Magazine.  If you would like to read the full article, please click here  The brand new title was established earlier this year and is dedicated to celebrating the diversity of Scotland’s gardening landscape. It incorporates an inspiring and informative mix of gardening, gardeners, gardens and growing taking place throughout Scotland in Read the Rest...

festive shopping with amazon smile and give as you live

This winter, you can raise vital funds to help us continue supporting everyone affected by spinal injury by simply shopping with AmazonSmile and Give As You Live. Amazon Smile Ordering with AmazonSmile is exactly the same as ordering with Amazon, only the best part is that every time you shop the company makes a 0.5% donation of the price of Read the Rest...

send horatio’s garden e-cards this christmas with ‘don’t send me a card’

We’re working with Don’t Send Me A Card, who have made it possible for you to turn the cost of your would-be Christmas cards into donations for Horatio’s Garden. The website invites supporters of all sorts of charities to send customised e-cards, with the idea being that the sender then donates the amount they would have spent on cards, envelopes Read the Rest...

world premiere: three men went to mow present ‘digging deep for horatio’s garden’

You may rightly know of Cleve West, James Alexander-Sinclair and Joe Swift as three celebrated garden designers who have each created a Horatio’s Garden. However, they are also known by another name. Together, they make up the timeless trio that is Three Men Went to Mow. As luck would have it, today marks the exclusive world premiere of their latest Read the Rest...

celebrating the silent solace of trees

The Tree Council are running National Tree Week from Saturday 28th November to Sunday 6th December and we’re joining in! Working together for the love of trees is something The National Tree Council are passionate about. They’re committed to bringing people together at a national and local level in order to care for trees, in turn helping to look after Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in which? gardening, penarth view and taspo garten design

This week we’ve been lucky enough to feature in three publications, with each highlighting a different aspect of our work.  We were enormously excited to learn that the opening of our fifth project, Horatio’s Garden London & South East, has been included in this month’s issue of Which? Gardening magazine.  The short piece appears in the early pages of the periodical, detailing some of the lesser-known facts about Read the Rest...

pop gardens support horatio’s garden

We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering POP Gardens, who have become the latest small business to generously support Horatio’s Garden.  The innovative enterprise was established by Lynne Evans, who wanted to combine her expertise in Occupational Therapy with her passion for the practical benefits of gardening to support wellbeing and recovery.  Her desire to do this led her to realising there was a gap in the Read the Rest...

we feature in the good web guide!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  November naturally means lots of us will have a spot of seasonal shopping to do, but thanks to The Good Web Guide your search for the perfects cards and gifts will hopefully be that little bit easier.  The GWG team have put together a whole host of excellent Christmas recommendations and articles, ensuring you can treat all your loved ones this winter. Amongst them are Read the Rest...

thank you to our virtual vitality 10k runners!

Whilst most of us have spent the past week sheltering from the wind and the rain, a brilliant host of Horatio’s Garden supporters have been busy braving the elements to complete the Virtual Vitality 10k!  The event usually takes place in London, with runners taking to the streets en masse to appreciate the capital’s sights in the glorious May sunshine. However, this year the race Read the Rest...

join head gardener sallie at this year’s cih webinar series!

Our very own Horatio’s Garden Scotland Head Gardener, Sallie Sillars, will be speaking as part of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s (CIH) Grow Careers Scotland Webinar Series this November!  The series is running from Monday 16th November to Thursday 19th November, when the CIH will be joined from 1pm each day by a host of horticulturalists. The event will cover a variety of topical subjects and is aimed Read the Rest...

dr olivia chapple on fresh from the pod

Avid listeners of Candide’s podcast, Fresh from the Pod, hosted by Tamsin Westhorpe, will have heard that today’s guest was none other than our Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple! To listen, please click here The podcast is all about Tamsin meeting and chatting about the gardening adventures of various inspirational people, with previous guests including Carol Klein, Read the Rest...

garden room build begins in horatio’s garden scotland

We recently had a far from average afternoon in Horatio’s Garden Scotland as work began on our beautiful new garden room! Designed by talented architect Andy Steel of DAS Design, the new garden room will offer a cosy, warm place for everyone to spend time in, whether that be quietly alone or with friends, family and colleagues. It’s currently being Read the Rest...

become a horatio’s hero and support horatio’s garden wales

Thanks to many generous donations from a whole host of supporters, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re now in the final phase of fundraising for the capital appeal of our sixth project, Horatio’s Garden Wales!  Having all recently turned to our gardens, outdoor spaces and nature to help us through the past few months, many people have come to appreciate Read the Rest...

introducing horatio’s garden northern ireland on bbc radio ulster

Those of you who have read the new interview with our Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, in Gardens Illustrated may have seen that we have just started beginning to plan our seventh project, Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland!  One such reader was David Maxwell, the presenter of the much-loved Gardeners’ Corner programme on BBC Radio Ulster, who we were absolutely delighted to hear from following the article’s publication.  David got in touch to tell us Read the Rest...

dr olivia chapple interviewed for bbc radio london

BBC Radio London are currently celebrating their 50th anniversary, so when Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, recently gave a live interview on the Robert Elms Show it truly felt like our new garden had become part of the capital’s ongoing story.  If you would like to listen to the interview, please click here and go to 2:13:38  Robert asked plenty Read the Rest...

head gardener stephen writes for wiltshire life

Head Gardener Stephen Hackett was recently invited by Wiltshire Life to write a feature for their November 2020 issue, which resulted in him penning a timely piece complete with beautiful autumnal photographs of Horatio’s Garden South West.  The article spans three pages and thoughtfully begins by acknowledging the way in which Coronavirus and lockdown brought the importance and value of green spaces to the Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden midlands celebrates its official first birthday!

Those of you with keen memories may have noted that yesterday marked the first anniversary of the official opening of Horatio’s Garden Midlands in Oswestry! Please click on the relevant link to read more about Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville’s second birthday or Horatio’s Garden Scotland’s fourth birthday Patients and staff of the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) gathered for a small celebration in Read the Rest...

sue stuart-smith in conversation with dr olivia chapple at the chelsea history festival

From 17th – 27th September, the Chelsea History Festival will be hosting an immersive mixture of digital and physical events to celebrate various elements of the borough’s intriguing past.  The Festival was co-founded by the National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Psychic Garden, who are proud to host an annual programme of talks from world-class speakers, authors, thinkers and historians.  Whilst the format Read the Rest...

ashley edwards speaks at flower power

The Charterhouse, which has been part of the nation’s history since 1348, recently hosted a uniquely brilliant new event this September known as Flower Power! Throughout lockdown, the Brothers living in the almshouse spent much of their time in The Charterhouse’s beautiful gardens, which prompted the team to organise an online celebration of the power of gardens and gardening to Read the Rest...

the sgd awards support horatio’s garden

The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) have announced that the SGD Awards 2021 will be supporting Horatio’s Garden!  The SGD is the only professional association for garden designers, with its many national and international Members representing the very best of the industry.  Having been established by a group of eminent landscape designers in 1981, they have been championing excellence in garden design ever Read the Rest...

league of friends donate to horatio’s garden midlands

We would like to say an enormous thank you to the League of Friends at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), who recently donated £1,000 to Horatio’s Garden Midlands! The League of Friends have been fundraising locally throughout lockdown to support everyone at the hospital, with this donation to support Horatio’s Garden just one of the many Read the Rest...

kitchen garden magazine feature horatio’s garden

Journalist Annabelle Padwick has kindly featured us in her recent article for Kitchen Garden Magazine celebrating every garden’s beneficial effects on our mental and physical wellbeing.  The feature was highlighting a few of the many charities that are all doing fantastic work in harnessing the therapeutic power of gardens and gardening, including our own.  Alongside Horatio’s Garden, the piece featured Thrive, Lindengate, Life at No. 27 and military rehabilitation charity, Highground. Each charity was Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden london & south east is open!

We have been absolutely delighted to be able to welcome patients and NHS staff to Horatio’s Garden London & South East for the very first time!   Please click the ‘Play’ icon below to watch our new video celebrating the opening of our new garden Please click here to become a Friend of Horatio’s Garden London & South East Our Read the Rest...

celebrating horatio’s garden stoke mandeville’s second birthday!

It’s hard to believe that Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville has now been open for two years, but time has flown by and today does indeed mark the garden’s second birthday! To celebrate, Head Gardener Jacqui decided to do a special tour of the garden, which you can watch below.  Please click on the relevant link to read more about Horatio’s Garden Scotland’s fourth birthday Read the Rest...

happy 4th birthday horatio’s garden scotland!

As if to prove that time really does fly when you’re having fun, Horatio’s Garden Scotland recently celebrated its fourth birthday! Please click on the relevant link to read more about Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville’s second birthday or Horatio’s Garden Midlands’ first birthday Together with Head Gardener Sallie, designer James Alexander-Sinclair, Trustee Catherine Burns and Fundraising Assistant Beth Keever, all visited the Read the Rest...

we’ve partnered with mind, body & soil

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that we’ve partnered with Mind, Body & Soil, a brilliant subscription service that’s part of the SmartPlant family! Please click here to find out more Remember to use code HORATIO for 30% off your first box! Unlike anywhere else, Mind, Body & Soil emphasise the importance of self-care through plant care by delivering a new Read the Rest...

mccarthy & stone support horatio’s garden

A stunning late August morning in Horatio’s Garden South West, Salisbury, was made just perfect thanks to a generous donation from McCarthy & Stone. As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, the company have recently been working in Salisbury and became aware of the charity’s roots in the city. Consequently, they kindly got in touch to help Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden midlands: one year on

As unbelievable as it may seem, Horatio’s Garden Midlands has now been flourishing in Oswestry for a whole year, so in celebration we thought we’d take a look back at a few of our fourth garden’s highlights over the past 12 months. When the garden first welcomed patients and NHS staff in late August it became immediately clear that it Read the Rest...

my prudential ridelondon success!

Over the course of last weekend a few fantastic fundraisers took part in the at-home My Prudential Ride event, which replaced this year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey cycle. Richard and Charlotte Weight were originally planning on taking part in the mass London cycle, opting to take on the 100-mile challenge in support of Horatio’s Garden. Although they couldn’t cycle the iconic streets Read the Rest...

planting has begun in horatio’s garden london & south east!

This week our fifth garden at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore has been a hive of activity as we’ve begun filling the flower beds with all manner of greenery. A fantastic team of volunteers have been working tirelessly to plant up the garden, which was a meticulously organised process, alongside Head Gardener Read the Rest...

week of thanks

Following the incredible support we’ve received both this year and in years previous, we’ve decided to hold a Week of Thanks across all our social media channels from Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th August.  Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn We’re incredibly lucky to be supported by so many wonderful donors, ambassadors, patrons, Friends, Read the Rest...

arty afternoons: natural inspiration with louisa crispin

Louisa Crispin is the latest artist to create a video for our Arty Afternoons series, offering us all a little insight into how we can both capture and lose ourselves in the creative gifts of nature.   Having discovered a passion for drawing in 2010, Louisa often finds herself lost in a world of intricate natural observations. The self-styled ‘Artist Gardener’ is entranced by Read the Rest...

hrh princess eugenie virtually visits horatio’s garden

On Tuesday 14th July, HRH Princess Eugenie virtually visited national charity Horatio’s Garden to find out more about how they’ve been supporting patients with spinal injuries, their loved ones and NHS staff throughout lockdown.  Since becoming the charity’s Royal Patron in 2019, Princess Eugenie has frequently been in touch with the charity and in light of Coronavirus felt it was important Read the Rest...

an artist in lockdown by katy mcintyre-brown

Some of you may remember Katy McIntyre-Brown as one of our former Arty Afternoon contributors, where she gently taught us about capturing the beauty of bluebells on canvas. Despite having already lent us her artistic talents, this week Katy is back with a new video offering a glimpse into her creative world through lockdown, as well as providing advice on Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in how to spend it

We were thrilled to feature in Saturday 11th July’s issue of How To Spend It, the magazine which has been part of the Financial Times for more than 40 years and is widely regarded as the benchmark for luxury lifestyle publications.  Horatio’s Garden was mentioned in both the ‘Editor’s Letter: What is Beauty Now?’ as well as in a lengthier piece entitled ‘Mind, Body and Soil’ which can be Read the Rest...

head gardener imogen on bbc radio shropshire

Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden Oswestry, Imogen Jackson, featured on BBC Radio Shropshire today, speaking to Adam Green all about gardening in lockdown. If you missed Imogen’s interview, click here to catch up. You’ll find us around 2 hours and 10 minutes into the programme. Adam enthusiastically introduced the charity and Imogen, who began by telling listeners all about the Read the Rest...

west brom building society donate to horatio’s garden oswestry

Horatio’s Garden Oswestry has once again hit the headlines of the Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer thanks to a generous donation from The West Brom Building Society, which has a local branch in the town.  The article tells the story of the business’ charitable arm, the Mercian Community Trust, generously donating £1,000 to Horatio’s Garden Oswestry in order to ensure that the Read the Rest...

remembering rose paterson

Everyone at Horatio’s Garden is extremely sad to learn of the loss of Rose Paterson at the end of June. Rose was a wonderful friend to Horatio’s Garden. As an appeal patron, Rose helped tirelessly and generously with the fundraising for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital and we will be forever grateful for her kindness Read the Rest...

podcast time: james alexander-sinclair on fresh from the pod

Designer of Horatio’s Garden Scotland, James Alexander-Sinclair, has featured on the latest episode of Fresh from the Pod, a Candide podcast hosted by Tamsin Westhorpe.  Being an RHS judge, co-chair of the Garden Media Guild, writer and gardener, Tamsin was the perfect person to chat to James about his commitment to the horticultural show circuit, his passionate showmanship and the importance of Horatio’s Garden.  Read the Rest...

raising awareness of horatio’s garden wales

Our new project, Horatio’s Garden Wales, has been featured in both the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity Newsletter and Welsh Country, a magazine dedicated to life in the Welsh countryside.  Each piece explains how we’re collaborating with Cardiff & Vale Health Charity in order to create our sixth exceptional garden, which will be part of the new, state of the art Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre. Both Read the Rest...

coronavirus update: horatio’s garden oswestry

Another month of 2020 has passed in the blink of an eye, which means we have more stories for you from each of our beautiful gardens around the UK.  Whilst lots of you reading this will know how important outdoor spaces are for everyone’s health and wellbeing, this year has truly placed the value of nature at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Just as your gardens, local Read the Rest...

coronavirus update: horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

Another month of 2020 has passed in the blink of an eye, which means we have more stories for you from each of our beautiful gardens around the UK. Whilst lots of you reading this will know how important outdoor spaces are for everyone’s health and wellbeing, this year has truly placed the value of nature at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Just as your gardens, local Read the Rest...

coronavirus update: horatio’s garden salisbury

Another month of 2020 has passed in the blink of an eye, which means we have more stories for you from each of our beautiful gardens around the UK.  Whilst lots of you reading this will know how important outdoor spaces are for everyone’s health and wellbeing, this year has truly placed the value of nature at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Just as your gardens, local Read the Rest...

bbc news feature amanda harris’ cycle challenge

Some of you may be aware that incredible supporter Amanda Harris recently completed her 150-mile at-home cycle challenge to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden Wales and now the story has captured the attention of BBC News!  To read the BBC Wales article, please click here.  To watch the BBC Wales report, please click ‘Play’ on the video below. BBC News Wales Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden wales in gardens illustrated

Horatio’s Garden Wales is featuring in the July issue of Gardens Illustrated thanks to award-winning journalist, Annie Gatti.  Having previously worked as an editor and journalist for numerous national publications, Annie is now a freelance writer specialising in all things related to gardens and gardeners. Her work frequently appears in Gardens Illustrated and the like, as well as The Telegraph and The Guardian, hence we are Read the Rest...

health is made at home – new book by lord nigel crisp

Lord Nigel Crisp, former Chief Executive of the English NHS, has recently written a new book entitled Health is Made At Home, Hospitals are for Repairs: Building a Healthy and Health-Creating Society.  Lord Crisp led major NHS reforms between 2000-2006, whilst he was also Permanent Secretary of the UK Department of Health. Since then, he has worked globally, with an emphasis on Africa, where he Read the Rest...

progress in horatio’s garden london

To donate to Horatio’s Garden London, please click here. Having been blessed with weeks of glorious weather, there’s been a lot of progress in Horatio’s Garden London since spring! The team from ARJ Construction have been working incredibly hard at the site, even giving up their weekends in order to stick to their schedule. Despite supply chain disruptions and all Read the Rest...

grow to give news

Lots of you have been getting involved with our new national fundraising event, Grow to Give, this summer and we’ve loved hearing how some of your garden gate sales have already raised incredible amounts for the charity! Grow to Give is all about small acts of kindness. At the beginning of lockdown, we began by encouraging everyone to leave fresh Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in sia ‘forward’ magazine

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) has supported people with spinal cord injuries for over 40 years. As part of their commitment to being a leading source of advice and information for people with SCI, the charity publish a bi-monthly magazine providing the SCI community with a wealth of information and stories. Members have real ownership of the magazine, as the Read the Rest...

coronavirus update

Throughout the Coronavirus crisis, Horatio’s Garden has been a lifeline for patients with spinal cord injuries and NHS staff who are currently living and working in hospital. “I am so proud of all the patients and staff, many of whom have been helping in the garden. To see everyone outside, not dwelling on their worries and hearing them chat and Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the cardiff times

This week Horatio’s Garden has been featured in the Cardiff Times as word begins to spread about our sixth project at University Hospital, Llandough. The free monthly magazine features a variety of local news and everything related to the life of the Cardiff community, including a whole host of good causes that need public support. As such, they’ve thoughtfully mentioned Read the Rest...

virtual rhs chelsea flower show

Today we would have been ready and waiting on Cross Way to welcome fellow garden enthusiasts to the world’s greatest flower show.  However, whilst we might be unable to celebrate with you in person this year, we will still be joining in with everything the RHS have planned as part of their Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show week.  Click here to visit the Read the Rest...

joe swift & horatio’s garden in gardeners’ world magazine

Joe Swift, designer of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, wrote a wonderful piece for the March issue of Gardeners’ World Magazine detailing how the beautiful garden was brought to life and what the extraordinary project means to him.  The article is aptly titled ‘My Recipe for Wellbeing’, which tells the story of how Joe came to be involved with the charity Read the Rest...

the story behind our new tea towel

Click here to purchase our brand new tea towel.  Katy McIntyre-Brown has painted all her life.  Growing up between Highbury, North London and a rambling water mill on the Somerset coast, she was always drawn to the calming power of nature, particularly as it contrasted the harsh architectural forms of the city.  Her passion became her profession in 2005, when Katy and her Read the Rest...

the good web guide – interview with dr olivia chapple

The Good Web Guide constantly curate and feature a library of leading websites, podcasts, influencers and blogs, which are all handpicked by their expert team and guest editors. This week, Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, featured as guest editor, sharing all her online favourites and giving readers a little insight into what she enjoys besides her work. Read the Rest...

photography with richard foster

We’ve been supported by some fantastic artists throughout our Virtual Arty Afternoons series on YouTube and this week is no different! Our latest video comes from professional photographer, Richard Foster, who has generously taken the time to create this brilliant video to help all of us take the perfect picture with just an iPhone (or equivalent). As a leading specialist Read the Rest...

clap for carers and ve day celebrations

This bank holiday weekend we’ve joined the rest of the UK in celebrating VE Day and the NHS. Each Horatio’s Garden honoured the service and sacrifice of a generation in their own unique way, whilst simultaneously thanking all those who are currently working on the frontline. In Horatio’s Garden Scotland, former volunteer Archie Campbell returned with his bagpipes in hand Read the Rest...

anneka rice mentions horatio’s garden in the daily mail

Veteran broadcaster and keen artist, Andrew Marr, recently launched the ‘Britain in Spring’ art competition in a long form article for The Daily Mail.  As the competition’s Head Judge, Marr explained that the competition is all about capturing any stunning ‘spring-scapes’ currently flourishing in the UK. Quoting artist David Hockney, who recently said under lockdown in France “Do remember they can’t cancel Read the Rest...

national garden scheme ‘gardens and health week’

We can’t believe that it’s been a whole year since the National Garden Scheme last held their annual Gardens and Health Week and this May the initiative is perhaps more important than ever.  Gardens and Health Week is all about championing gardens as places of solace, recuperation and relaxation throughout the year, every year. The campaign, running from Friday 8th May to Saturday 16th May, will raise Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the times

This week we were mentioned in Alice Thomson’s column for The Times which argued that the joy of gardens and gardening should be open to all.  The piece illustrated how lockdown has led to more people spending time in their gardens and indeed gardening than ever before, citing that nearly a third of a million people visited the RHS website to learn how Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden stoke mandeville in the telegraph

Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville has this week been featured in The Telegraph in a fantastic article by Anna Tyzack, which explores the transformative power of our gardens and how they’re currently more important than ever.  The piece provides an insight into the impact of a spinal cord injury and how Covid-19 is magnifying patients’ concerns. Graeme Stone, who is currently a patient of the National Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in pro landscaper magazine

Pro Landscaper magazine recently featured a brilliant article about Horatio’s Garden which asked the rather timely question of ‘How do gardens make a difference?’ As many of you will know, Horatio’s Garden regularly contributes to such discussions by demonstrating the various ways in which gardens have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of both patients with spinal injuries Read the Rest...

our arty afternoons youtube series continues!

This week our Arty Afternoon video has been created by Dorset-based artist, Lucy Bentley.   Lucy works as a professional artist in between teaching students at Hanford School as Head of Art. She adores painting, drawing and creating and everything she does has vibrancy at its heart. Using a wide range of techniques and materials, Lucy does a great variety of work Read the Rest...

virtual tour of slade in support of the national garden scheme

Click to watch Rosamund’s Tulip Tour of Slade.  As some of you may know, Rosamund Davies was due to open her beautiful garden in Slade in support of the National Garden Scheme this month. However, as Coronavirus has caused the National Garden Scheme to shut all its gardens for the foreseeable future, now Rosamund is giving you the opportunity to virtually visit her stunning garden as part Read the Rest...

baroness masham’s letter to the times

Baroness Masham of Ilton is a wonderful supporter of Horatio’s Garden and recently became one of the charity’s ambassadors. As part of her commitment to championing disability, which she has continued throughout her 50-year career in the House of Lords, she has recently written a letter to The Times to plea for people living with spinal cord injuries to be considered Read the Rest...

virtual arty afternoons

We’re giving everyone the chance to join in with our new Virtual Arty Afternoons, with the aim of gently encouraging people everywhere to embrace their creative side. The first two videos have been created by wonderful young artist, Alice Penrose, who is currently studying Biology at University of Oxford. Prior to her beginning her undergraduate degree, Alice gained a Foundation Read the Rest...

the well gardened mind – new book by sue stuart-smith

Prominent psychiatrist, psychotherapist and Horatio’s Garden supporter, Sue Stuart-Smith, will soon be releasing her new book The Well Gardened Mind.  Having studied at Cambridge, Sue went on to work in the National Health Service for many years and became the lead clinician for psychotherapy in Hertfordshire. She has long been passionate about the value and importance of the natural world, which forms the basis Read the Rest...

the shropshire star feature imogen’s fundraising adventure

Senior Reporter for the Shropshire Star, Deborah Hardiman, recently visited Head Gardener, Imogen Jackson, in Horatio’s Garden Oswestry to find out more about her adventure walking John Muir Way. Over 10 days, Imogen, husband Allan, friend Andrew and dog Toby walked the 134-mile coast-to-coast route in order to raise money for the charity. The group camped along the way, which Read the Rest...

continued support from woolley & wallis

We’re thrilled to have been featured in the Spring/Summer edition of Woolley & Wallis’ magazine, which tells readers more about the Salisbury salerooms’ continued support of Horatio’s Garden. Woolley & Wallis have generously supported the charity from the very beginning, funding sculpture exhibitions in our Salisbury garden annually whilst also support numerous events throughout the years. Most recently, the organisation Read the Rest...

waitrose continue supporting horatio’s garden

Another two wonderful Waitrose stores have been supporting Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville over the past month, raising almost £600 for the garden between them. Shoppers in Waitrose Windsor and Waitrose High Wycombe have been generously voting for the charity with their green tokens over recent weeks, helping to raise vital funds for the charity. Now that the month has drawn Read the Rest...

message from founder & chair of trustees, dr olivia chapple

In the Coronavirus crisis patients with spinal injuries are going to need a safe garden sanctuary to be away from the ward and seek the calm of nature more than ever before. Our patients are facing increasing social isolation as visits to the spinal centres are being limited and the additional fears of the effect of the virus to them. Read the Rest...

spring supper at pythouse

We recently hosted a spring supper at the idyllic Pythouse Kitchen Garden which was attended by many wonderful friends and supporters of Horatio’s Garden. The cosy evening was organised by volunteer Elaine Vaughan, who thought it would be a lovely way to share with over 60 guests how far the charity has come in just a few short years. Many Read the Rest...

celebrating international women’s day

We were delighted to discover on the morning of International Women’s Day (Sunday 8th March) that our Royal Patron, HRH Princess Eugenie, had shared a story on Instagram celebrating the women who inspire her, with Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, featuring in the post. The story celebrated her mother, Sarah Ferguson, sister, HRH Princess Beatrice and her Read the Rest...

breaking ground in horatio’s garden london!

We have officially begun our fifth project at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore (RNOH) this week, with the help of our wonderful celebrity ambassador Anneka Rice.  To date we have planted hope for patients, their families and friends in Salisbury, Scotland, Stoke Mandeville and Oswestry. Now, having raised an incredible total of £1.2 million, work on Horatio’s Garden London is underway.  Read the Rest...

early spring workshops in horatio’s garden

Spring is a busy time in Horatio’s Garden and patients have been enjoying making the most of the brighter days, either by taking part in gentle horticultural therapy sessions, or by embracing their creativity.  In Salisbury, those joining volunteer Sheila in the weekly art group have loved having a space to produce works in their own artistic styles, whilst some have also been tempted to try new Read the Rest...

thank you all waitrose shoppers!

A selection of Waitrose stores having been supporting Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville this year as part of their Community Matters scheme. Waitrose stores in Thames, Buckingham and Welwyn Garden City have currently presented us with cheques equalling a grand total of £1,138, which has all been raised by the many wonderful shoppers who have voted for us with their green Read the Rest...

dr olivia chapple on broradio

Founder and Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, recently featured on BroRadio, which is the local radio station responsible for broadcasting across the Vale of Glamorgan.  Olivia was welcomed on air for her live interview by Geoff Selby, who artfully guided the segment aimed at raising awareness of the charity now that we’ve begun the capital appeal for Horatio’s Garden Cardiff.  Olivia introduced Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden scotland on beechgrove repotted

We were very excited to see that Horatio’s Garden Scotland featured on yesterday evening’s episode of Beechgrove Repotted! The segment about Horatio’s Garden begins at approximately 8 minutes 30 seconds. CLICK HERE TO CATCH UP The Beechgrove Garden team previously visited our garden at the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow back in 2017, speaking with Founder & Chair Read the Rest...

winter art in the gardens

There’s always something happening in Horatio’s Garden, but it’s been particularly busy in Salisbury and Stoke Mandeville this January as we’ve welcomed three brilliant artists to the charity.  In Salisbury, Katy McIntryre-Brown is our winter artist in residence and she recently joined volunteer artist Sheila in the garden’s weekly art group. Katy got to know many of the patients and families Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden takes part in the big garden birdwatch

The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch took place this year from 25th – 27th January and Horatio’s Garden certainly enjoyed getting involved.  The Birdwatch is the world’s largest wildlife survey, with over half a million people regularly taking part. It’s been taking place for the past 40 years and enables scientists to monitor trends and helps them to understand how wildlife Read the Rest...

new year in horatio’s garden

Many patients and their loved ones spent Christmas in the comfort of Horatio’s Garden, spending time with each other and helping our volunteers and Head Gardeners prepare for the New Year. In our Stoke Mandeville garden, the Christmas tree was much-appreciated by all and we are so grateful to Peterley Manor Farm for bringing a touch of magic to the Read the Rest...

lillian’s volunteering story in the glasgow evening times

The Glasgow Times have recently begun a weekly column about volunteering in Glasgow and featured Lillian, a volunteer in our Scotland garden, in their very first edition! Lillian kindly shared her wonderful story, which told the audience all about the charity and why she feels that volunteering in Horatio’s Garden is “worth its weight in gold.” We are so pleased Read the Rest...

rebecca rason flor ferreira is our new artist in residence in stoke mandeville!

Professional, versatile artist Rebecca Rason Flor Ferreira will soon be joining us as the new artist in residence in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville!  Rebecca will be in the garden every Monday from 12pm – 5pm from Monday 13th January to Monday 24th February. Patients and their loved ones will all have the chance to paint with Rebecca, who will be offering gentle Read the Rest...

katy mcintyre-brown is our new artist in residence in salisbury!

Self-taught, professional artist Katy McIntyre-Brown will soon be joining us in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury.  Katy will be starting her winter residency in the garden on Wednesday 15th January and thereafter will be in the garden every Tuesday from 4th February until then end of March. Patients, families and friends will all have the opportunity to paint alongside Katy, or can Read the Rest...

an incredible carol concert

On Monday 2nd December we welcomed over 800 of you to the very first Horatio’s Garden Carol Concert and what an evening it was!  We couldn’t believe how many of you chose to join us for the event and the enthusiasm shown by each and every one of our wonderful supporters made for a truly incredible atmosphere. Amongst their family and friends, everyone soon settled Read the Rest...

festivities in horatio’s garden

There have been a whole host of festivities taking place in each Horatio’s Garden across the UK, bringing a touch of Christmas magic to patients, families, friends, NHS staff and our wonderful supporters.  In Salisbury, an overwhelming number of people came along to the garden’s annual Christmas Fair, with many commenting they’d found more than a few ideal gifts for Read the Rest...

bbc’s sir matthew pinsent interviews peter reed in salisbury

It was wonderful to see both Sir Matthew Pinsent and former Olympic rower Peter Reed together in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury recently, when Matthew visited to interview Peter for a string of BBC programmes.  Peter recently suffered a spinal stroke and has been spending time in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. He has become a regular visitor to the garden, Read the Rest...

winser london support horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

On Monday 11th November, luxury womenswear label Winser London held an exclusive shopping evening in support of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. The event was incredibly well-supported, with over 25 happy shoppers joining us in Marlow for the occasion. The evening raised over £700 for the garden, thanks to Winser London generously donating 20% of all sales to Horatio’s Garden. We Read the Rest...

the capital appeal for horatio’s garden cardiff is officially launched!

Click here to find out more about Horatio’s Garden Cardiff and to watch our brand new appeal film. On Thursday 14th November we held the official launch of our capital appeal for Horatio’s Garden Cardiff at the Cardiff & County Club. The charity was joined by over 100 enthusiastic new supporters, including rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards. Everyone who attended was Read the Rest...

barn dancing fun in aid of stoke mandeville

On Saturday 9th November almost 100 people dressed in their country best and joined in with a fabulous Barn Dance in aid of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. The event was kindly organised by a group of Stoke Mandeville volunteers, who decided to go above and beyond in order to raise money for the garden. Guests were treated to a delicious Read the Rest...

celebrating trustees’ week

This year we’re celebrating Trustees’ Week, which runs from Monday 4th to Friday 8th November.  Our trustees are an integral part of Horatio’s Garden, volunteering their time, expertise and advice to ensure that the charity continues to plant hope for everyone affected by spinal injury across the UK.   All our trustees are incredibly dedicated to the charity, but it is particularly close to Read the Rest...

pennant magazine features horatio’s garden

Pennant is the magazine of the Forces Pension Society and is published bi-annually containing an entertaining mix about life in the Forces, news, opinions and views, member’s feedback and much more.  In their autumn edition, they chose to feature the story of Horatio’s Garden across a generous double-page spread, which details where the charity came from and where it hopes to Read the Rest...

happy halloween from horatio’s garden!

Spooky, autumnal celebrations have been occurring in all the gardens this month as patients, staff and volunteers embraced Halloween in a whole host of creative ways.  Pumpkins have been growing steadily in Scotland all year and have been a much-appreciated part of the incredible autumn harvest we’ve seen in the garden this year. As part of the garden’s Halloween celebrations, WRAGS trainee Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the cardiff times

This November we will be officially launching the capital appeal for Horatio’s Garden Cardiff, but already the Cardiff Times is busy spreading the word to everyone in the city.  The magazine kindly published an article this weekend that introduced our sixth project to the local community, including details of Sarah Price’s designs and a wonderful quote from Professor Charles Janczewski, interim Read the Rest...

give back with amazonsmile, give as you live and ebay for charity

By signing up to any of the following, you’ll be helping us to raise vital funds every time you shop.  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO AMAZONSMILE 1 – Go to the AmazonSmile website by clicking the link above  2 – Type in your email address (either a new email if you are new to Amazon, or the email you Read the Rest...

a day of song in oswestry

Patients, staff and volunteers were all taking part in the RSPB’s ‘Birdsong Takeover’ event on Thursday, which was part of their national Let Nature Sing initiative.  The sweet sounds were played all afternoon throughout the garden room and Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries, helping the RSPB to reach its aim of bringing the music to around five million people’s ears. The Read the Rest...

autumn barbeque in horatio’s garden scotland

Whoever said you couldn’t have a barbeque in October?! The weather was uncommonly kind to Horatio’s Garden Scotland last weekend as patients, families, friends and staff gathered in the garden to celebrate the beginning of autumn in style. A brilliant crowd came together for the afternoon and it was lovely to see so many people catching up and having fun Read the Rest...

artist keith jansz paints in horatio’s garden stoke mandeville

Professional artist Keith Jansz, a world-renowned mouth painter, will be painting in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville on Thursday 10th October from 12pm – 5pm. Keith feels a connection with this particular garden as he previously spent six months in the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville following a car accident in 1995. When Keith returned home after his time Read the Rest...

touring the williams’ racing museum

Law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp (BBK), who are ranked by the Legal 500 as a Top Tier firm and have over 30 years’ experience in complex injury cases, have been dedicated supporters of Horatio’s Garden for many years. They sponsor all the seasonal events we hold in both our Salisbury and Stoke Mandeville garden, offering patients and their families the Read the Rest...

advent of change support horatio’s garden

To pre-order your Children’s Advent Calendar or ‘World Changer Wall Calendar’, please CLICK HERE. From Monday 7th October, both calendars will be available to purchase online via the Advent of Change Website and John Lewis & Partners. They will also be be stocked in John Lewis stores across the country. * Horatio’s Garden are delighted to announce that they are Read the Rest...

the wheelpower national junior games

WheelPower, the National Charity for Wheelchair Sport are hosting their annual National Junior Games (NJG) 2019 from 30 September – 3 October at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement. The primary focus of the National Junior Games is to encourage the disabled children who take part in the Games to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle, Read the Rest...

bbc gardeners’ world film in stoke mandeville

If you missed the episode, CLICK HERE to watch it on BBC iPlayer. The piece on Horatio’s Garden begins at 24 minutes 50 seconds. We hope you enjoyed watching BBC Gardeners’ World on Friday 27th September 2019! We were delighted to welcome Joe Swift back to Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, along with the rest of the team from the beloved Read the Rest...

autumn newsletter 2019

Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived! Simply click the link in the top right-hand corner of this page to read all about what’s been happening in Horatio’s Garden over the past few months.

horatio’s garden oswestry in the telegraph

In an incredible double-page spead, Bunny Guinness introduced Horatio’s Garden Oswestry to readers of The Telegraph in style last weekend!  Bunny wrote a wonderful piece that not only describes the thought and time that went into designing the garden, but also how lovely it is to now see the garden being treasured by so many.  She recalls having ‘no doubts’ when Founder and Chair of Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry is officially open!

Horatio’s Garden Oswestry was officially opened by Sir Algernon Heber-Percy on Sunday 22nd September in the Midland Centre for Spinal Injury (MCSI) at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH).  It was an enormously happy occasion, with patients, staff and visitors alike commenting on the beauty of the garden and what a difference it is making to the lives of Read the Rest...

gold for stoke mandeville in aylesbury in bloom 2019

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the team at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville have been awarded GOLD in the Aylesbury in Bloom 2019 Communal Gardens category! The award was presented to Head Gardener Jacqui Martin-Lof by the Mayor of Aylesbury, Councillor Mike Smith, at a presentation held in the beautiful gardens of the Lindengate Mental Health Charity in Wendover. Read the Rest...

national garden scheme open days

On Sunday 8th September Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville opened on behalf of the National Garden Scheme for the very first time, which coincidentally fell on the same day as the garden’s first birthday!  With the bunting up, the sun shining and over 250 visitors, including patients and hospital staff, it was the perfect time to celebrate. The team received many wonderful Read the Rest...

a busy week in horatio’s garden oswestry

Aside from BBC Shropshire’s special live broadcast in the garden on Sunday 8th September (which you can read more about by clicking HERE) a lot has been happening in the short time since our garden opened to patients, volunteers and NHS staff. Head Gardener Imogen, with support from staff from the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), has Read the Rest...

bbc radio shropshire broadcast live from horatio’s garden

On Sunday 8th September we were joined in our brand new garden by Paul Shuttleworth and Margaret Thrower for a very special live broadcast from Horatio’s Garden Oswestry. The team spent three hours hosting their programme from the comfort of our surprisingly sunny garden, with Paul safely nested in one of the secluded bays so that the space could continue Read the Rest...

wiltshire life magazine features horatio’s garden

Horatio’s Garden Salisbury volunteers have been featured in the October edition of Wiltshire Life following their achievement of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.  As many of you will know, the award is the highest honour given to UK volunteer groups and is equivalent to receiving a group MBE. It was announced in June that the group had won the award and a special Read the Rest...

a fantastic day opening for scotland’s garden scheme

On Sunday 1st September we welcomed visitors to Horatio’s Garden Scotland, opening our garden gates in support Scotland’s Garden Scheme.  Remarkably, the sun was shining throughout the afternoon which gave everyone the chance to explore the garden in all its seasonal glory! Our volunteer team have worked incredibly hard in preparation for the event and their efforts certainly paid off. Many Read the Rest...

patricia samanta is our new salisbury artist in residence

Volunteer and fine artist, Patricia Samanta, is returning to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury as our new artist in residence.  Patricia will be in the garden every Tuesday afternoon between 12-3pm from Tuesday 10th September until the end of October. She will be creating her own artwork inspired by the garden and will also be on-hand to offer gentle encouragement to patients pursuing Read the Rest...

bunny guinness on bbc radio shropshire

Bunny Guinness was recently joined in Horatio’s Garden Oswestry by BBC Shropshire’s very own Paul Shuttleworth, who was asking her all about the designs of our latest garden.  Despite bringing gardens to life for more than 40 years, Bunny shared that she’s always surprised by her gardens when exploring them for the first time. She told listeners that after spending years meticulously designing every Read the Rest...

the shropshire star feature horatio’s garden oswestry opening

The Shropshire Star have kindly featured Horatio’s Garden Oswestry once again, celebrating the garden’s opening to patients and their loved ones earlier this month.  The newspaper details various elements of the design, giving readers an insight into just how thoughtful designer Bunny Guinness was when she first imagined the garden back in 2018. It also mentions the wildlife that is already in abundance in Read the Rest...

jacqui martin-lof thanks national garden scheme openers

Jacqui Martin-Lof, Head Gardener in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, recently visited the stunning Malverleys Terrace garden in East Hampshire, which hosted an event to celebrate and thank everyone who opens their garden on behalf of the National Garden Scheme in Berkshire.  The Malverleys garden is a particularly beautiful New English Flower Garden, which spans 10 acres within the grounds of a country estate. It Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry is open!

Horatio’s Garden Oswestry opened for the very first time this week, with patients, volunteers and NHS staff all making their way to the garden for a celebratory cup of tea and slice of homemade cake.  The afternoon was an immensely happy, emotional occasion which saw everyone chatting and getting to know both each other and the beautiful space Bunny Guinness initially Read the Rest...

an evening at newbury races

Horatio’s Garden were delighted to be invited by Newbury Racecourse to raise awareness of the charity and all that we do to support people facing life-changing injuries.  On Thursday 25th July, Trustee Maggie Cameron, Titus Chapple, Charlotte Crawley and her mother Minty, all attended the races on behalf of the charity and had a truly brilliant evening amongst friends. All Read the Rest...

national garden scheme open days

This September we’ll be opening each Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury, Scotland and Stoke Mandeville in support of the National Garden Scheme.  This is your opportunity to explore these unique, thriving spaces and learn more about how Horatio’s Garden supports people’s physical and mental rehabilitation as they learn to live with life-changing injuries. Both Horatio’s Garden and the National Garden Scheme Read the Rest...

introducing artist in residence, nell nicholas

We’re thrilled to welcome Nell Nicholas to Horatio’s Garden, who will be one of our artists in residence in Salisbury this summer.  She will be in the garden on the following dates:  Friday 19th – 12-5pm  Monday 22nd – 12-5pm    Tuesday 23rd – 12-5pm    Wednesday 24th – 12-5pm   Thursday 25th – 12-5pm  Friday 26th – 12-5pm  As Nell Read the Rest...

pipers corner school support horatio’s garden

Pipers Corner School, which is based near High Wycombe, have been enormously supportive of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville throughout the past academic year. From hosting a Fabulous Summer Tea Party to performing for patients in the garden, students across all years have been enormously enthusiastic as they embarked on their charitable endeavours.  In the past two weeks alone the pupils have supported the Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden in the warminster journal

Avid Horatio’s Garden supporters Ann and Evelyn recently hosted a tea and coffee morning at the Tynings allotment in Warminster to encourage their community to raise funds for the charity. Their event was subsequently featured in the Warminster Journal, along with an accompanying piece explaining where the charity came from and its future aspirations.  Both Ann and Evelyn visited our Food and Read the Rest...

read the latest from dr olivia chapple in gardeners’ world magazine

As some of you may know, this year Dr Olivia Chapple was invited to be part of a panel contributing to Gardeners’ World Magazine’s ‘Grow Yourself Healthy’ campaign.  Olivia has now contributed to two issues alongside Margaret Kievel and Victoria Theakston, who have both spent time in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury.  In the magazine’s May Read the Rest...

june’s progress in horatio’s garden oswestry

Head Gardener Imogen Jackson has been incredibly busy in her first month with Horatio’s Garden, not least because progress throughout June at our new Oswestry garden has been rapid!  Gardening and construction have continued to progress at an astonishing rate, with the addition of ten elegant raised beds arriving in the final week of June. These will not only ensure that every Read the Rest...

head gardener stephen hackett’s full article for salisbury life magazine

Our Salisbury Head Gardener, Stephen Hackett, recently wrote a brilliant article for Salisbury Life Magazine which has been featured in their July issue.  The piece, entitled ‘Let It Grow’, features a variety of Salisbury gardeners who all make it their mission to contribute to the local community by creating and nurturing beautiful spaces. Each is also committed to offering a Read the Rest...

martha solloway will be our new artist in residence in salisbury

We would like to welcome Martha Solloway to Horatio’s Garden, who this summer will be our new Artist in Residence in Salisbury.  Martha has been involved with the charity for a while and passionately supports us in any way she can. In the past she has generously donated her work to our 2018 Chelsea Secret Art Sale, and also designed our enormously popular Christmas Read the Rest...

caroline may will be our new artist in residence at stoke mandeville

We are delighted to welcome Caroline May back to Horatio’s Garden, who will this summer be our new Artist in Residence at Stoke Mandeville.  Last year Caroline was our Artist in Residence in Scotland, encouraging patients and visitors to be creative, whilst also creating numerous beautiful works herself. She recently exhibited a collection of her final pieces in Spring 2019, Read the Rest...

welcoming chelsea lowe to horatio’s garden

We would like to warmly welcome Chelsea Lowe to the Horatio’s Garden team, who has this week begun her 12-month placement in our Scotland garden.  Chelsea will be supporting Head Gardener Sallie Sillars in the garden for two days a week, which is part of her commitment to the ‘Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme’ (WRAGS) run by the Women’s Read the Rest...

volunteers featured in the salisbury journal

The achievements of the Horatio’s Garden Salisbury volunteer team have been featured this June in the Salisbury Journal.  Following the incredible news that the group had been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Journal decided to spread the word of their recognition throughout the local community. Many people in Salisbury have supported Horatio’s Garden since the beginning, and Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden oswestry on bbc radio shropshire

On their most recent visit to Horatio’s Garden Oswestry Head Gardener Imogen Jackson, Administration Assistant Brian Kilty, Operations Manager John Grinstead and Marketing Manager Kathryn Furnell were delighted to be joined by Paul Shuttleworth of BBC Radio Shropshire.  Paul was visiting the garden in order to discover more about our latest project, and also chatted with the team to find out about Horatio’s Garden Read the Rest...

cecil’s volunteering story

Today we’re featuring Cecil, who below tells the story of how he came to volunteer at Horatio’s Garden Salisbury. It’s a short, but immensely uplifting tale which we hope you enjoy reading. * “For many years I have been a patient of Mr Chapple’s at Salisbury District. Over the years I have had many spinal surgeries under different consultants. In 2012 I Read the Rest...

even more fabulous summer tea parties

We’ve been overwhelmed by how many of you have been involved in our Fabulous Summer Tea Party Week, despite it being in its infancy! The latest stories have come from Christine Biondini, Olivia Hatrick, Jane Beresford and Ann and Clare Mannall, who threw Tea Parties in various places across the country this week. Having been signed up by her son, Read the Rest...

head gardener imogen jackson welcomed by the shropshire star

Recently appointed Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry, Imogen Jackson, has been warmly welcomed to her new home in Shropshire by the team at the Shropshire Star! The newspaper published an article all about Imogen today, introducing both her and the charity to the local community. The article tells the story of Horatio’s Garden, as well as detailing Imogen’s background Read the Rest...

miranda creswell’s latest artwork for ‘looking out glasgow’

Artist in Residence, Miranda Creswell, has once again been busy for Horatio’s Garden, this year creating a Butterfly Table as part of her ‘Looking Out Glasgow’ project.   Miranda, who works with archaeologists based at Oxford University as part of the EnglaID research group, has long-supported Horatio’s Garden. Her latest creative venture for the charity has taken her to the Oxford Museum of Natural Read the Rest...

lillian’s volunteering story

As part of our continued celebration of Volunteers’ Week we would love to share Lillian’s volunteering story with you.   She currently supports our Scotland Garden, and as you will see below, her experiences in Horatio’s Garden have been both humbling and incredibly rewarding.  *  I have only been at Horatio’s Garden for a matter of a few months in Read the Rest...

our very first fabulous summer tea parties

Yesterday we marked the launch of the Horatio’s Garden Fabulous Summer Tea Party week in style with two delightful afternoon teas; one at Longford Castle, and one at Hamptworth Lodge.  Our patron, the Countess of Radnor, generously offered to host a tea party for over 50 guests at her home and it was the perfect start to our very first national fundraising Read the Rest...

volunteers receive the queen’s award for voluntary service

Volunteers at Horatio’s Garden Salisbury, based in the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre of Salisbury District Hospital, were honoured on 2nd June 2019 with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is equivalent to a group MBE and is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups.  As our Salisbury garden was the first to be opened back in 2012 many Read the Rest...

glasgow city voice choir perform in horatio’s garden

The incredibly talented Glasgow City Voice Choir delighted patients and volunteers on Saturday 18th May with a very special performance the group prepared for Horatio’s Garden. With the weather taking a turn for the worse, the performance had to take place indoors instead of in the garden. However, the show must go on and everyone enjoyed an afternoon spent in Read the Rest...

the duke of buccleuch visits horatio’s garden scotland

On Monday 20th May we were delighted to welcome The Lord High Commissioner, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch to Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Head Gardener Sallie, Volunteer Co-ordinator Yvonne, and a host of patients and volunteers were making the most of the sunshine in the garden, offering the Duke an authentic Horatio’s Garden experience. The whole team worked incredibly hard Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden at buckingham palace

Trustee Victoria Holton and volunteer Lesley Walford, both of whom have been involved with the charity since the very beginning, were incredibly honoured this week to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The event was held by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to recognise the phenomenal achievements of volunteers throughout the UK, including our very own Horatio’s Garden team Read the Rest...

summer newsletter 2019

To celebrate the beginning of our week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show we are today releasing our brand new Summer 2019 Newsletter! Click the PDF button on this page to read all about the first half of our year at Horatio’s Garden.

welcoming ‘energy’ to horatio’s garden salisbury

Talented sculptor Alexander Macdonald-Buchanan has generously offered to loan his impressive piece ‘Energy’ to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury until October 2019.  Alexander has been interested in ceramics and pottery since his school years, spending many years travelling far and wide to explore the art in greater depth. Having journeyed around potteries in Japan, the Far East and New Zealand he then Read the Rest...

we’re looking for a regional fundraiser in stoke mandeville

Horatio’s Garden is a national charity that aims to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury through creating and nurturing beautiful gardens. We grow thriving communities to support patients, their families and friends facing long stays in NHS hospitals. Horatio’s Garden: Regional Fundraiser Based: Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury The charity is looking to appoint an experienced fundraiser to generate the Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden salisbury on itv meridian news

ITV’s very own Lauren Hall recently visited Horatio’s Garden Salisbury to film as part of the network’s series ‘Blossoming Britain: How Gardening Helps Us To Grow’.  The news item is part of a wider national initiative, RHS National Gardening Week, which this year runs from 30th April to 6th May. We were delighted to see that so much of what was filmed during the Read the Rest...

fundraising dinner at newbury racecourse

Thank you so much to Charlotte Crawley for organising an evening of wonderful floral fun for over 350 guests at Newbury Racecourse on Friday 26th April.  The idea to host an event in support of Horatio’s Garden came to Charlotte following her spinal operations in the summer of 2017. With the support of her mother, Minty Crawley, and a brilliant committee, Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden easter weekend

Over the course of the April Bank Holiday weekend patients and their loved ones enjoyed the glorious sunny weather across the UK in each of our beautiful gardens.  Thankfully the sun stayed shining throughout the four days, so everyone got the chance to partake in a variety of seasonal celebrations!  On Good Friday Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville held their Easter Party which was a phenomenal success. Over 100 guests joined in with the fun Read the Rest...

melanie reid features horatio’s garden in the times

Horatio’s Garden we’re delighted to hear the news that award-winning journalist and charity ambassador Melanie Reid very kindly featured the charity in her most recent article, which was published on Monday 15th April.  After attending our Glasgow Drinks Party at Edrington last week, an event celebrating our loyal supporters, Melanie shared the charity’s vision and mission with her Times readers and offered her Read the Rest...

dr olivia chapple meets her majesty queen elizabeth II

On Tuesday 2nd April Dr Olivia Chapple attended a reception hosted at Windsor Castle by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to mark the centenary of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).  The evening held in the Grand Reception Room was an event which recognised Horatio’s Garden amongst the achievements of the voluntary sector throughout the last century.  Olivia was delighted to meet Her Majesty Read the Rest...

garden therapy in stoke mandeville

Some wonderful stories have been shared with us recently from our Stoke Mandeville garden and art therapy groups, and we thought it would be lovely to offer everyone an insight into the wonderful difference Horatio’s Garden makes to patients on a daily basis.  Four patients, Ted, Emerson, Alfie and Pauline have all been keen gardeners since discovering the space, and with the help Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden at bass 2019

The British Association of Spine Surgeons recently held their BASS 2019 Conference in Brighton and Horatio’s Garden we’re delighted to be welcomed as the conference’s chosen charity.  Between Wednesday and Friday this week co-founder and trustee David Chapple FRCS, Stoke Mandeville volunteer Nikki Blagg and Communications Intern Alex Geaney represented the charity at the conference, which focused on technological advances Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden glasgow on bbc radio scotland

Sallie Sillars, Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Glasgow, recently welcomed BBC Radio Scotland reporter John Beattie to the garden to find out more about the charity and the support it offers to patients and their loved ones.  John cycled to the garden to chat with two patients currently staying in the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit, as well as Head Read the Rest...

help us by signing up to give as you live and amazonsmile

To sign-up to Give As You Live, please click HERE. To sign-up to AmazonSmile, please click HERE. Thank you so much to all those using Give as you Live to support Horatio’s Garden!  Give as you Live is an entirely free way to raise money for Horatio’s Garden – all you have to do is sign-up, browse the Give as Read the Rest...

toasting an incredible night of fundraising at the wild by tart dinner

Horatio’s Garden is thrilled to announce that the Wild by Tart fundraising dinner, held in London on Wednesday the 27th of March, raised a phenomenal £296,000 for the London Garden capital appeal. The event was attended by 200 of the charity’s supporters and their guests, including Anneka Rice, Tom Stuart-Smith, Joe Swift and Frank Gardner.  Dinner guests enjoyed the most sublime Read the Rest...

THE TIMES – SCOTTISH LEGAL AWARDS SUPPLEMENT

Horatio’s Garden Scotland enjoys the support of Digby Brown Solicitors and we were delighted when they were the winners of two titles at the 2019 Scottish Legal Awards in March. Digby Brown triumphed in Firm of the Year and Community Contribution categories. They were featured in a Scottish Legal Awards Supplement in The Times newspaper, and we were lucky to Read the Rest...

national garden scheme donation announcement

On March 27th the National Garden Scheme excitingly announced at London’s Royal Festival Hall that they are donating £75,000 to Horatio’s Garden London and announced a ten-year commitment to the charity and its projects.  Co-founder and Head of Trustees Dr Olivia Chapple and long-time trustee Victoria Holton were present, along with celebrated garden designer Joe Swift who created the beautiful Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville.   Read the Rest...

wild by tart auction announcement

We are thrilled to be able to announce the exciting live and silent auction lots on offer as part of our Wild by TART dinner, which is being held on Wednesday the  27th March. The evening will be attended by 230 influential guests who are gathering in the newly-opened TART London at Eccleston Place to raise funds for the capital appeal to build Read the Rest...

head gardener for Horatio’s garden scotland receives certificate from the earl of wessex

Our very own Sallie Sillars, Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Scotland, was present at the High School of Glasgow earlier this month when Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex made a special visit to meet pupils and staff involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Scheme. High School of Glasgow pupils have been volunteering at Horatio’s Garden Scotland as part Read the Rest...

february sunshine and progress at oswestry

Last week the unseasonably warm February sunshine cast a beautiful spring glow across the site of Horatio’s Garden Oswestry, which is currently taking shape at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries.  Throughout the month the construction team have been working incredibly hard, and our fourth project is now really starting to resemble the garden that we have all long-imagined. The serpentine Read the Rest...

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! SUBMIT YOUR WORK FOR THE HORATIO’S GARDEN SECRET ART SALE

We are delighted to announce that we are once again looking forward to holding the Horatio’s Garden Secret Art Sale at our annual Chelsea Drinks Party, after the great success of the inaugural event last year – and we’re on the hunt for artists to help us! The Chelsea Drinks Party will take place at the National Army Museum from Read the Rest...

introducing alex geaney, communications intern at horatio’s garden

We would like to warmly welcome Alex Geaney to the office team here at the Horatio’s Garden. Whilst on her year-long placement as comms intern with us, Alex will be increasingly responsible for the charity’s external communications, which includes updating our website, managing the Horatio’s Garden social media accounts and coordinating our email newsletters and PR campaigns. Below is a Read the Rest...

catch up on the building work at horatio’s garden oswestry

We’re delighted to share the news that the building work at Horatio’s Garden Oswestry is well under way, with the steel frame of the garden room and the outline of planting beds and pathways starting to take shape. The recent wintery weather has proven to be no problem for the dedicated workers on site who have carried on turning the Read the Rest...

the stoke mandeville garden is now being supported by vale lottery

We are delighted to announce that Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville is being generously supported by the Vale Lottery. The Vale Lottery was set up in 2015 by Aylesbury Vale District Council to support community projects in the area, allowing local people to support the causes they care most about.  All you have to do is buy a £1 ticket weekly Read the Rest...

david c. h. austin snr obe vmh, founder of david austin roses ltd, has died peacefully at home

It is with great sadness that the Austin family announces the passing of David C. H. Austin Snr OBE VMH, rosarian and founder of David Austin Roses Ltd. David Snr died peacefully at his home in Shropshire on Tuesday 18th December 2018, surrounded by his family. He was 92.  

progress at oswestry

This week’s progress at Horatio’s Garden Oswestry. 

horatio’s garden runner up at social change awards

On the 11th December 2018, Horatio’s Garden was so grateful to receive the runner up award for The Everyday Impact – Long Term Enterprises at a wonderful event, hosted by the Directory for Social Change Social Change Awards and held at the House of Lords, presented by The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC. Thank you to everyone who voted and Read the Rest...

how to make a home-grown christmas wreath

Nothing says Christmas more than a beautiful festive wreath adorning a front door – but instead of buying a wreath, have you ever considered making one with materials found in your garden? Expert florist and National Garden Scheme Volunteer, Penny Snell CBE, gives her step-by-step guide on how to make a home-grown and wonderfully wild Christmas wreath.  To make Penny’s Read the Rest...

stoke mandeville christmas tree

Thank you to Tom from Forest and Fir for donating the most beautiful Christmas Tree to Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville.  It has been fabulously decorated by our volunteers and takes pride of place in the Garden Room. 

give as you live

Supporters of Horatio’s Garden can raise free donations simply by shopping online using Give as you Live. Shop at over 4,100 leading online stores including Amazon, eBay, Tesco, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Just Eat and Booking.com, to name but a few! Give as you Live is a shopping and price comparison website that donates funds with every purchase to Horatio’s Garden. You can shop for products Read the Rest...

nsic christmas fair

Thank you to the team from Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville for running the stall at the NSIC Christmas Fair.  Thank you to everyone who came and supported us. You can still purchase gifts and stocking filler for Christmas online via our shop HERE. 

first dig at horatio’s garden oswestry

22/11/2018 On the 22nd November we celebrated a brilliant day at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust where the first dig for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry took place. We are so very grateful to the League of Friends to RJAH and their wonderful team of fundraisers across the region who have worked tirelessly to support the Read the Rest...

kathy hinde art installation coming to horatio’s garden salisbury

Kathy Hinde will be showing her work in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury. Kathy’s work grows from a partnership between nature and technology expressed through audio-visual installations and performances that combine sound, sculpture, image and light. She has shown work extensively across Europe, China, Pakistan, USA, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and New Zealand. The work will be exhibited in the apple archway in Horatio’s Garden. It’s called Read the Rest...

horatio’s garden shortlisted for the everyday impact – long term award

Horatio’s Garden has been shortlisted for the Everyday Impact – Long Term Award for DSC’s 2018 Social Change Awards.  The winner of the award is decided by public vote, so please help us by voting! The closing date is Friday 30th November.  Please find the voting form HERE Please do share this among friends and family too, thank you for Read the Rest...

read the horatio’s garden oswestry press release

thank you cathcart castle ladies

Ladies from Cathcart Castle Golf Club visited Horatio’s Garden Glasgow this week to hand over a cheque for £6550 ! This amazing amount was raised over the last year. Horatio’s Garden was the charity chosen by Lady Captain, Ann Blackwood. She used to visit the Spinal Unit when her brother in law Ewan Rice was a patient there. This was Read the Rest...

meet bianca, one of our trustees

Horatio’s Garden is run by a board of trustees who give their time voluntarily. Their varying talents and experience help us to meet our charitable goals and objectives, whilst keeping the costs of running the charity to a minimum.  Meet Bianca Roden. Bianca trained as a speech and language therapist and worked in various hospitals and schools with both adults and Read the Rest...

sainsbury’s donations

A huge thank you to Sainsbury’s branch in Braehead for supporting our milk, tea, coffee and biscuit supplies for the kitchen pod at Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Tea and cake afternoons will be well supported going forward!  To find out more about the Scotland garden click HERE  

meet the designer

Designer of our hugely popular and fast selling 2018 Christmas cards is Martha Solloway.  Get to know Martha and her inspiration for her art below. “I am an artist and illustrator from Dorset and have studied art at both Kingston and Brighton Universities. I work from a wide range of subjects, which tend to revolve around my interest in people Read the Rest...

crocus planting to support world polio day

Head Gardener Jacqui and volunteers from Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville helped to support World Polio Day on the 24th October at Stoke Mandeville Stadium by joining with Wheel Power and Rotary GB & Ireland to plant 25,000 crocus corms to make the stadium look beautiful in Spring next year! 

salisbury volunteer visit to stoke mandeville

On the 18th October the volunteers from Horatio’s Garden Salisbury went to visit the newest Horatio’s Garden in Stoke Mandeville. 

garden tour at horatio’s garden scotland

Thank you to the group from East Renfrewshire U3A who came for a garden tour on the 25th September.  An amazing £275 was raised throughout the day!  If you are interested in coming for a visit to Horatio’s Garden Scotland please email Sallie (Head Gardener on sallie@horatiosgarden.org.uk        

edinburgh drinks event

Thank you to everyone who attended the Edinburgh evening drinks event in support of Horatio’s Garden Scotland.  It was a wonderful evening with special thanks to James Alexander-Sinclair for his speech. 

horatio’s garden on spire fm

Spire FM featured Horatio’s Garden on their website following the opening of Stoke Mandeville. You can read the report here  

horatio’s garden stoke mandeville is open!

On the 9th September 2018, the third Horatio’s Garden was officially opened by guest of honour Mary Berry. “Of course, a garden is never truly finished; it is an ever evolving story which will develop over the years with patients and our volunteers” – Garden designer Joe Swift. Going forward, Head Gardener Jacqui and her team of amazing volunteers will Read the Rest...

donation from the hospital saturday fund

Huge thanks to the Hospital Saturday Fund who have kindly donated £2,000 towards Horatio’s Garden Oswestry. Their donation will help to bring Horatio’s Garden to all the patients at the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries.  

cornerstone volunteers at horatio’s garden scotland

Many thanks to the Cornerstone volunteers for coming and lending a helping hand in Horatio’s Garden Scotland on 17th August.    

Ben Barrell’s sculptures

Ben Barrell currently has three sculptures that will be exhibited in the garden until October 2018. They consist of ‘Swirl’, ‘Logan’ and ‘Crescent’.  Find out more about Ben’s work and how nature has influenced his sculptures on his website here. 

Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville is near completion

The garden in Stoke Mandeville is nearing completion. The third Horatio’s Garden, this space will serve patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. 

National Garden Scheme Gardens & Health Week

During August 2017, the National Garden Scheme launched their first ever week dedicated to promoting the positive impact gardens can have on health and wellbeing. All of the gardens taking part opened free of charge for a small, private group of people who would not usually get the opportunity to enjoy a garden, or for whom garden visiting is not Read the Rest...

Sweet peas in Scotland

Sweet peas are in full bloom at Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Gorgeous scents are filtering through the air in the garden activity area and everything has taken on a beautiful freshness that only gardens can give. A real sensory for delight for all visitors and regular users of the garden.   

National Garden Scheme Family Friendly Gardens

Open throughout the school holidays the National Garden Scheme have over 100 family-friendly gardens for you and your family to explore and enjoy!  From miniature railways and fairy gardens, to farm animals and treasure trails the National Garden Scheme has gardens open across England and Wales.  Find your perfect day out here. 

Cleve West visits Salisbury

Cleve West came for a visit around the garden in Salisbury this morning, to enjoy a walk around the planting and a catch up with Head Gardener Stephen Hackett. 

The latest from Stoke Mandeville

Pleased to update you all that the tarmac at the top end of the Stoke Mandeville Garden is now finished!  Head Gardener Jacqui and her team are doing a fantastic job keeping all the plants watered and healthy while the building works carry on around them. 

A perfect activity for the longest day of the year

Patients were strawberry picking yesterday at Horatio’s Garden Scotland, making for a rewarding therapy session. Grown in the garden itself, the strawberries were washed and enjoyed by everyone!  For more information on patient activities in Scotland please see Activities for Patients on the Scotland Garden section of the website or ask Head Gardener Sallie how she can help.     

Sunshine spurring on progress at Stoke Mandeville

This week at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville progress is being helped along with a little help from the sunshine! Pictures show the garden as well as the progress being made on the Garden Room, the diamond shapes in the roof will all be filled with glass panels to let as much natural sunlight into the room as possible.     

Joe Swift’s designs are coming to life

This week at Stoke Mandeville a lot of progress has been made. Joe Swift’s designs are leaping ahead, with the garden now looking more like a useable, tranquil space for the patients.  Head gardener Jacqui, who has been overseeing the build has describes this weeks progress as “a butterfly unfolding”. 

The Stoke Mandeville water chute is in!

Stoke Mandeville is coming along very well this week. First the worms and now the water chute for the water feature has been put in place. The water feature will provide patients and families with somewhere to sit and reflect and the noise of the water will detract from the noise of a busy hospital

National Garden Scheme Gardens and Health week

It is well documented just how much of a positive impact gardens can have on a persons health. The National Garden Scheme launched their first Garden and Health week in August 2017, promoting the positive impact gardens have on heath and wellbeing. This year Gardens and Health week is taking place on the 18th-24th August and all the gardens that Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury continues to ‘thrive’

Horatio’s Garden has featured on the Salisbury Journal website. The article contains an interview with Olivia Chapple about the gardens and an update on future plans for the charity. Please read the full article here.  

Horatio’s Garden features in The BMJ Medical Journal

18/12/2017 Horatio’s Garden has featured on  The British Medical Journal website in an article called ‘Hospital gardens are making a comeback’. The article focuses on the importance of gardens in hospital spaces, the evidence behind it and how hard it is to find funding to create these spaces. To read the article in full click here  

Horatio’s Garden at The Chelsea Flower Show

21/05/2018 The Horatio’s Garden​ stand is all set up at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Do come and say hello to some of the team this week on stand (EA426) enjoy a cup of our new Horatio’s Garden tea! The stand has been designed by James Alexander-Sinclair and sponsored by Nelsons.

Glorious gardens open for NGS Festival Weekend

18/05/2018 The National Garden Scheme’s Festival Weekend 2018 will see gardens open for charity in all counties across England and Wales on 2nd and 3rd June – giving everyone access to private gardens in their area during one of the most beautiful months of the gardening year. Held annually and now in its sixth year, Festival Weekend celebrates glorious gardens Read the Rest...

Whats on at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year?

16/05/2018 Find out what’s on at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year via the Town & Country House website here.

Spire Removals Support

09/05/2018 Spire Removals are generously supporting Horatio’s Garden by providing the transport to the Chelsea Flower Show and back. We are hugely grateful for their generosity and kindness in giving their time and expertise.  

The Garden Room is going up!

01/05/2018 Today the steels arrived for the fantastic garden room for patients at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. Brilliant design credited to Andrew Wells of 3W Architecture. Watch this space for further updates on progress!

Gardeners’ World filming at Stoke Mandeville

30/04/2018 Last week a team from Horatio’s Garden Salisbury went to the newest Horatio’s Garden, currently being built at Stoke Mandeville. Gardeners’ World were filming with Joe Swift and new Head Gardener, Jacqui Martin-Lof, who made her television debut! The majority of plants and trees are in place, and the foundations for the Garden Room and Greenhouse are laid, all Read the Rest...

Planting underway at Stoke Mandeville

25/04/2018 This week new volunteers have joined Joe Swift and head gardener, Jacqui, to start planting at Stoke Mandeville!

Inter Spinal Unit Games

20/04/2018 Huge congratulations to all 105 participants who competed in the Inter Spinal Unit Games this week at Stoke Mandeville! A special mention to the team from Salisbury who finished the week victorious! To see some of the images from the week’s sporting action, please click here

Volunteers’ Lunch

19/04/2018 Yesterday volunteers from Salisbury met up for lunch in the garden. A time to share experiences and catch up. Long may the sunshine continue!

Inter Spinal Unit Games

16/04/2018 This week teams from all 14 Spinal Units across the UK will be taking part in the Inter Spinal Unit Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. The Games are held annually and 100 patients with 60 support staff will experience first-hand what can be achieved following a spinal injury. Good luck to everyone taking part! Find out more about the Games Read the Rest...

Trees arrive at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville

27/03/2018 Exciting things are happening at Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville today. The first trees have arrived and are being moved into place and planted under the supervision of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville designer Joe Swift. The garden continues to take shape with building progressing at pace. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this happen and who have Read the Rest...

BritSpine 2018

19/03/2018 Horatio’s Garden is delighted to have been the charity beneficiary of the BritSpine Conference in Leeds last week. This year’s biennial conference and exhibition took place at the University of Leeds. Horatio’s Garden had a stand at the BritSpine Exhibition and Dr. Olivia Chapple gave a presentation at the conference dinner where there were table top collections and a Read the Rest...

The third Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville is well underway

14/03/2018 Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville is making great progress. At a recent visit, Joe Swift was setting out the flower beds and the Horatio’s Garden team were joined by CED Stone Group. The water feature and curved walls are rapidly taking shape. It’s going to be an amazing garden – watch this space for further updates.

New for 2018 – Volunteer recipes

13/03/2018 The Volunteer Recipe of the Month is a new feature. Each month one of our lovely volunteers will kindly share a favourite recipe. This month we have Sheila’s delicious cheesy biscuits. These biscuits are quick and easy to make and are a firm favourite in the Horatio’s Garden office. Happy baking.

Horatio’s Garden features in The BMJ Medical Journal

Horatio’s Garden has featured on the The British Medical Journal website in an article called ‘Hospital gardens are making a comeback’. The article focuses on the importance of gardens in hospital spaces, the evidence behind it and how hard it is to find funding to create these spaces. To read the article in full click here  

Horatio’s Garden at the BALI Awards

We are delighted to announce that Endrick Landscapes have won a BALI Special Award for Outstanding Charitable Contribution and an award for Hard Landscaping Construction for 2017 for the work they carried out at Horatio’s Garden in Glasgow.  Receiving a BALI National Landscape Award is one of the landscape industries’ highest accolades and is recognition of a high level of achievement from within the Read the Rest...

Downhill Country Fayre raises £3100 for Horatio’s Garden Scotland

A huge thank you to Jay and Carole Crawford of Dowhill Country Fayre and Celia Crawford for organising an afternoon tea in aid of Horatio’s Garden Scotland which raised a fantastic £3100. Celia held a raffle with fabulous prizes including a night’s stay at a hotel, lots of gifts and plants from Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Thanks also to everyone who Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden features in the Telegraph

An article in the Telegraph covered how ‘Horatio’s Garden is harnessing plant power with the help of a medical herbalist’.  Catherine Marshall described how her products, made for Horatio’s Garden, were “designed with the idea of a therapeutic, feel-good, healing garden in mind, intended to transport you back to the herb garden.”  The article covers how the surroundings of a garden Read the Rest...

Luke and Harry complete the Wadi Rum Ultra Marathon!

THEY MADE IT! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO LUKE AND HARRY FOR COMPLETING THE MOST GRUELLING RACE ON EARTH. DESPITE LOSING TOENAILS AND BEING SEVERELY UNWELL THEY MANAGED TO COMPLETE THE 162.5 MILES IN 90 DEGREES CONDITIONS! Please show your respect by donating HERE         Luke’s Blog Day 1 “The setup is pretty straightforward. The competitors sleep in three Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden Scotland wins award from BALI

Endrick Landscapes are to receive an award for Horatio’s Garden Scotland, from the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) in the Hard Landscaping Construction sector, at the awards ceremony on 1st December. Receiving a BALI National Landscape Award is one of the landscape industries’ highest accolades, giving recognition of a high level of achievement from within the industry. The garden was judged by a Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden featured by the Guardian Online

Horatio’s Garden has featured in a Guardian Gallery online which looked into seven healing gardens in hospitals, as chosen by junior doctor Nima Ghadiri. Both Horatio’s Gardens in Salisbury and Glasgow were included, offering an insight into the therapeutic properties of the gardens.  To see the full article click here  

Emma Bridgewater Collector’s Day Raffle

Horatio’s Garden has been lucky enough to host a stand and give a talk at the coveted collector’s days at Emma Bridgewater’s home.  Whilst at the collectors day, Horatio’s Garden and Emma Bridgewater ran a raffle, giving guests a chance to win a collection of goodies and the raffle raised £850.00! The team at Horatio’s Garden would like to thank everyone Read the Rest...

Work experience at Horatio’s Garden

Horatio’s Garden was lucky enough to have two excellent pupils join the team for work experience. Tia and Megan worked at the charity’s head office and in the Salisbury garden in July. All the team were really impressed with their hard work and are incredibly grateful for their contribution.  Megan kindly sent a summary of their experience: “On Monday 17th Read the Rest...

Building begins at Stoke Mandeville today!

Building began at Stoke Mandeville today to create the third Horatio’s Garden. Designer, Joe Swift, dug the first spadeful of earth with Horatio’s brother, Titus Chapple. The building will last six months. Once completed it will feature a garden room, a communal space outside for lunches and live music, a large greenhouse specially equipped for patients and a whole range of perennial and evergreen Read the Rest...

Windsor boat ride for patients at Salisbury Spinal Injury Unit

Patients of the Spinal Centre at Salisbury Hospital were treated to a wonderful day out with a huge picnic, and cream teas aboard the Rivertime boat in Windsor. ‘Rivertime’ is a 42 foot boat and has been purpose-built to enable people with access restrictions to be able to go out on the River Thames. Patients boarded the ‘Rivertime’ accompanied by Recreational Assistant Sonya Read the Rest...

Newport Dragon’s star makes headlines

Newport Dragon’s player Ed Jackson, who was a patient at the spinal unit in Salisbury, has recently featured on the BBC Sport news page, talking about his spinal injury after diving into a shallow end of a swimming pool.  “After hitting my head on the bottom I realised I couldn’t swim to the surface because I’d lost movement in my legs Read the Rest...

Dr Olivia Chapple to be a keynote speaker

Dr Olivia Chapple, Chair of Trustees, will be a keynote speaker at the Landscape, Gardens and Health Network Conference, presenting ‘Horatio’s Gardens – the benefits of beautiful garden projects in the NHS.’  The conference will provide a forum for those wishing to discuss and debate the role of therapeutic landscapes and gardens today. It will introduce current research and innovative Read the Rest...

Brewin Dolphin sell plants from Chatsworth for Horatio’s Garden

The Brewin Dolphin garden by Jo Thompson at RHS Chatsworth Show has sold off all the plants in support of Horatio’s Garden and raised over £2,000. Jo Thompson’s beautiful FreeForm garden won the “People’s Choice” at the show. Brewin Dolphin have donated plants and sculptures from their 2012 and 2016 Chelsea Flower Show gardens to Horatio’s Garden Salisbury and Scotland.  Jo’s garden Read the Rest...

Chelsea party launches Midland Spinal Centre garden

280 guests joined us for an evening of celebration and entertainment at the beautifully refurbished National Army Museum for cocktails and canapés. Trees donated by Hortus Loci for the occasion created a garden in the venue. Horatio’s Garden designers, celebrities and patrons enjoyed a fabulous party. Bunny Guinness revealed her plans for Horatio’s Garden Oswestry at the Midland Spinal Centre. Read the Rest...

Nelsons sponsor Chelsea flower Show

Horatio’s Garden had a very successful Chelsea Flower Show. The stand was visited by many guests including Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Baroness Masham, Joanna Lumley, Anneka Rice and Alan Titchmarsh were all impressed with the beauty of the stand as well as the many supporters who visited during the week. The most popular merchandise item was the new garden Read the Rest...

Artist Miranda Creswell completes her first marathon

Artist in Residence and archaeology artist for Oxford University, Miranda Creswell, ran the Milton Keynes Marathon for Horatio’s Garden on 1 May 2017 completing her first marathon in 4:45hours.  Miranda said “An epic run but still smiling and motivated by Horatio’s Garden donations for Stoke Mandeville” . Miranda has been an artist in residence in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury, working with patients Read the Rest...

Michael Bowyer Flower Arranging Day

Guests were treated to a wonderful afternoon of flower arranging demonstrated by the very talented Michael Bowyer MBE at the Guildhall in Salisbury. Michael put together over 10 superb designs to a full crowd and each piece was raffled over afternoon teas with all profits generously donated to Horatio’s Garden. The event raised over £2,000! Our thanks go to Michael and Read the Rest...

Bede Rauh’s Edinburgh Marathon

A huge good luck and thank you to Bede Rauh who will be running the Edinburgh Marathon on the 27th of May. You can support Bede by sponsoring him here or Just Text Giving – text HOR11 with the amount £1 – £10 to 70070 Thank you Bede and good luck with the training!         

Give as you Live

Supporters of Horatio’s Garden can raise free donations simply by shopping online using Give as you Live. Shop at over 4,100 leading online stores including Amazon, eBay, Tesco, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Just Eat and Booking.com, to name but a few! Give as you Live is a shopping and price comparison website that donates funds with every purchase to Horatio’s Garden. You can shop for products Read the Rest...

2 King’s Bench Walk to Cycle London for Horatio’s Garden

A team of cyclists from the Chambers of William Mousley QC, 2 King’s Bench Walk will be cycling in the Prudential Cycle London Ride on July 30th 2017 in support of Horatio’s Garden. The ride is another way the Chambers have supported Horatio’s Garden – they are also generously sponsoring the Chelsea drinks party. The team of 8 cyclists supported Read the Rest...

Oswestry Design Consultancy Day

The Horatio’s Garden Team visit the Midland Spinal Centre at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. Bunny Guinness and Olivia Chapple presented the plans to the Executive team, the Nursing staff and current and former patients of Oswestry. In the consultation both the staff and patients put forward ideas that will be included in the final designs. The promotional Read the Rest...

The English Garden Magazine – 20 Years of Garden Design

Horatio’s Garden features in The English Garden magazine’s spring issue. Horatio’s Garden designer, James Alexander-Sinclair, looks at two decades of innovative design and ground-breaking gardens that he considers most influential, in his article 20 years of gardening. Order your copy online or pick up your issue at your local retailer.     

Points of Light Award

Horatio’s Garden has been awarded a Points of Light Award by the Prime Minister.  In a letter to Olivia Chapple Teresa May said “The beautiful gardens you have created are having a positive impact on people being treated for spinal cord injuries and are a wonderful tribute to Horatio’s memory. By making peaceful and serene places for patients and their Read the Rest...

Marie Martin’s Bath Half Marathon

Marie Martin is running the Bath Half Marathon on the 12th of March in support of Horatio’s Garden. Marie understands the benefit of Horatio’s Garden as her sister Lou has been a patient in both Salisbury and Scotland. Marie said “During her time in Salisbury Hospital, Lou benefited, immensely, from Horatio’s Garden – time away from the ward, to feel sunlight, Read the Rest...

Salisbury International Arts Festival

We are delighted to announce a partnership with the Salisbury International Arts Festival 2017. This partnership helps bring culture and entertainment to patients in hospitals. Horatio’s Garden Salisbury will be hosting a reception for the festival in April and a live performance in the gardens on 4 June. The Salisbury International Arts Festival commences on 26 May until 10 June 2017.

Winter Newsletter 2016

Take a look at our new winter newsletter here – if you would like to receive our bi-annual newsletters through the post please register here

Visit from appeal Patron Gregor Fisher

Gregor Fisher, appeal Patron of Horatio’s Garden Scotland, visited the new Horatio’s Garden at the Scottish National Spinal Unit this week. Gregor, currently starring as an ugly sister in Cinderella at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow, met with patients, volunteers and staff and toured the project. Much fun was had by all! STIHL kindly donated a Compact Cordless Blower which Read the Rest...

Scotland bulbathon planting

In October a massive amount of bulbs were planted at Horatio’s Garden in Scotland – 12,500 in fact! Kind thanks to de Jager for providing the bulbs and also to the team of volunteers and James Alexander-Sinclair for planting them. 

Bruce Munro’s ‘Reflections’ – an installation in Salisbury

There is a wonderful new addition coming to the Garden Room at Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury. We are delighted that British artist Bruce Munro, who is best known for producing large immersive light-based installations, including a stunning projection piece at Salisbury Cathedral in 2014, is producing a new series of beautiful and immersive audio visual digital animations for Horatio’s Garden. This will be shown for the first time on Wednesday Read the Rest...

Chalke Valley Cycle ride raises £5000

***STOP PRESS *** The ride was a resounding success with 150 cyclists enjoying a fabulous day in the beautiful rollings hills of the Cranbourne Chase. The feedback was tremendous and over £5500 was raised. Thanks to everyone who participated.  The next Chalke Valley Cycle ride will be SEPTEMBER 2018 – plenty of time to train! 

Write on Kew

Catalina Willis the artist and writer of two Horatio’s Garden books will be performing at Write on Kew on Saturday 24th September 1-3pm. Catalina’s books can be purchased here The 16 year old artist Catalina said “It means a lot to me that the book helps people remember Horatio and raises some funds for his charity.” 

Simon Gudgeon’s sculptures

Simon Gudgeon’s sculptures are on show in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury. Well-known for his monumental work at ‘Sculpture by the Lakes’ in Dorset, Simon’s work features in important private collections abroad and in the United Kingdom. He has attained worldwide recognition, with exhibitions in London, New York, San Diego, Paris, the Netherlands and now Salisbury. Simon has very generously donated the Read the Rest...

Summer Newsletter 2016

Take a look at our summer newsletter here – if you would like to receive our bi-annual newsletters through the post please register here

Digibox team

Huge thanks to the Team Digibox who are cycling across Scotland in support of Horatio’s Garden Scotland. Lead by NHS project manager for Horatio’s Garden Scotland, Graham Forsyth from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. A challenging 250 mile coast to coast cycle ride will be on April 30th and May 1st and will be a challenge for all rider and the Read the Rest...

National Gardens Scheme

Horatio’s Garden has been selected by the National Gardens Scheme to become a beneficiary charity. At a press launch today the charity announced a donation of £130,000 to Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville capital appeal. Dr Olivia Chapple, Chair and Executive Trustee of Horatio’s Garden, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with the NGS whose aims are very Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden Scotland in the Daily Record

The build begins – wheel barrow fun with Gregor Fisher at Horatio’s Garden in Scotland, covered by the Daily Record.

Gregor Fisher visits Horatio’s Garden Scotland

Front page of the Herald – Gregor Fisher’s visit to Horatio’s Garden in Scotland as the building starts.

Hartley Botanic to donate greenhouse

As soon as The Chelsea Flower Show closes its doors to the public on Saturday 28 May, the work of disassembling the beautiful gardens, trade stands and horticultural displays begins.  The Main Avenue Hartley Botanic Show Garden takes more than three weeks to construct and lovingly plant but only a few days to disassemble. Hartley Botanic MD Johnny Mobasher said, Read the Rest...

NGS to support Horatio’s Garden

The fantastic news that the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) is to support Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville was announced in today’s Telegraph. The NGS has an interesting history dating back to the 1850’s that has always been closely related to health and nursing. Since its foundation, the National Gardens Scheme has donated over £45 million to its beneficiary charities, of which nearly Read the Rest...

“I couldn’t have coped without this garden”

In the Telegraph Living, Sarah Holdom describes how Horatio’s Garden helped her when her son Charlie West was paralysed following an accident. Read the full article here.  

Newsletter – Winter 2015

DO read our first newsletter – this will be a bi-annual production and if you would like to receive it by post please contact us here

Jeremy Smith in the Telegraph

“What I realise now is how much more quickly I could have regained my sense of self-worth and hope had there been a genuine, large garden space. When confined to a ward for long periods, you actually start to fear the world beyond its corridors. Any place that can allow you to forget and simply sit outside, especially with friends Read the Rest...

Head Gardener for Horatio’s Garden Scotland

We are looking to appoint a head gardener for two days a week for the second Horatio’s Garden at the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. The head gardener will be responsible for the maintenance of the garden, organise the volunteer gardener team and garden therapy for patients in collaboration with the occupational therapy Read the Rest...

Spire FM Interview

Listen to an interview with Olivia on Salisbury’s Spire FM.  

Anneka Rice

In the Daily Telegraph, on Saturday 26th December, India Sturgis interviews Anneka Rice about her involvement as an Appeal Patron of Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. Read the article here.    

Julian Wild sculpture exhibition

Sculptures by Julian Wild are being exhibited in Horatio’s Garden Salisbury until March 2016. Julian Wild graduated with a BA in Fine Art Sculpture from Kingston University in 1995. He has held solo exhibitions at Modern Art Oxford, Burghley House, William Benington Gallery and Canary Wharf. Julian has been commissioned to make public artworks for a number of institutions including Read the Rest...

Sunday Telegraph Living

Read the Judith Woods interview with executive trustee Victoria Holton and her reasons for supporting Horatio’s Garden, in the Sunday Telegraph Living section. “There was no outside space when I was admitted, just a bleak expanse of ground. I’d wheel myself to the car park just to escape the ward.”  

Nelsons to sponsor Horatio’s Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show

Nelsons are generously sponsoring Horatio’s Garden charity stand at the Chelsea Flower Show 2016. Meet the team and buy beautiful high quality goods to support the charity. Tickets for the show are available from the RHS now.

Simon Gudgeon

Sculptor Simon Gudgeon and garden designer Monique Gudgeon from Sculpture by the Lakes visited Horatio’s Garden Salisbury to plan an exciting sculpture exhibition for next summer. One of Britain’s leading contemporary sculptors, Simon Gudgeon, has a signature smooth style that marvellously concentrates spirit and nature. His minimalist, semi-abstract forms depict both movement and emotion of a moment captured with a Read the Rest...

Patersons Quarries Limited to support

Patersons Quarries Limited have generously offered to donate topsoil to Horatio’s Garden Scotland. This is a fantastic offer which will help considerably with the costs of the garden and give the plants a wonderful boost to start growing. Thank you to Patersons.

Glasgow Warriors support Horatio’s Garden Scotland

Glasgow Warriors team visited Horatio’s Garden Scotland site to show their support for the project. Former captain All Kellock lead the team who will be helping with fundraising.    

Newton Investment Management Ltd

James Money-Kyrle chose Horatio’s Garden to receive a donation from Newton’s charity business. Newton welcomes the opportunity to engage with the sector through its annual charity investment survey. By way of a ‘thank you’ to charities which participate, Newton enters respondents in a prize draw for the chance to win a £250 donation to a charity of their choice. Newton Read the Rest...

2 King’s Bench Walk

We are delighted to announce that 2 King’s Bench Walk, the Chambers of William Mousley QC, is generously supporting Horatio’s Garden, and the development of additional Spinal Unit gardens throughout the UK.  

Remembering Horatio

The Saturday Telegraph Weekend published a beautiful article about Horatio and his life and legacy. The photo of Horatio was the front page of the Weekend section on 13th June. Read the article by Anna Tyzack here  

Horatio’s Garden to open new Garden Room

The Editor of Salisbury Journal, Bill Browne, visited Horatio’s Garden and wrote about the new garden room for patients and the upcoming Food and Plant Fair.   See the article here

Emma Bridgewater visits Horatio’s Garden

Emma Bridgewater came for tea in Horatio’s Garden. What a pleasure to serve Emma tea from her beautiful teapot and mugs which have become such an iconic part of life in Horatio’s Garden. Emma was in Salisbury to talk at the Salisbury International Arts Festival about her new book ‘Toast and Marmalade’. Emma’s mugs can be bought to support the Read the Rest...

Chelsea Flower Show

Horatio’s Garden trustees were honoured and delighted to receive a from Prince Harry at the Chelsea Flower Show. Prince Harry talked to trustees Olivia Chapple and Victoria Holton about the work of the charity and the plans for the next Horatio’s Gardens. Horatio’s Garden tradestand won 3 gold stars from the RHS for the design of the stand which included Read the Rest...

Great British Sewing Bee finalist helping Horatio’s Garden

A finalist in the BBC’s Garden British Sewing Bee, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Stace, is lending his skills to Salisbury Hospital Spinal Centre’s Horatio’s Garden in preparation for its annual Food and Plant Fair. Neil visited Horatio’s Garden and helped the team of volunteers and patients from the centre sewing colourful wheat bags. They are making a host of gorgeous and Read the Rest...

Triple winners at the SGD awards

Cleve West won three awards for his design of Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury at the Society of Garden Designers Awards – the Oscars of garden design! He first collected the Public or Commercial Outdoor Space Award, followed by the People’s Choice Award, beating 14 other shortlisted designs. The most prestigious award, the Judges’ Choice, was also awarded to Cleve for Read the Rest...

The Chalke Valley Cycle Ride

One hundred and seventy six cyclists set out on Sunday under clear blue skies with high spirits. They took part in the Chalke Valley Cycle Ride to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden. The ride started in Horatio’s Garden and was opened by Claire Perry MP and Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Transport. Cyclists chose either a 25 or 50 mile Read the Rest...

Rebecca Newnham’s Sculptures

There will be a private view of Rebecca Newnham’s sculptures on Saturday 18th October 10am – 12noon. Come and meet Rebecca and see her stunning works in Horatio’s Garden. Free entry, tea and coffee available.

In Memory of Carol Whitaker

Horatio’s Garden was honoured to receive a cheque from the family of Carol Whitaker. Carol was a patient in the spinal unit and loved to be in Horatio’s Garden – we have so many happy memories of sharing times in the garden with Carol.    

Gardeners’ World

Horatio’s Garden featured on BBC2’s Gardeners’ World programme, introduced by Monty Don.  Catch the wonderful piece on iplayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04gv7tb  

BBC Gardeners’ World films in Horatio’s Garden

What a huge honour to be filmed for Gardeners’ World. The brilliant BBC team spent the whole day in Horatio’s Garden talking with patients, Cleve West and volunteers. They filmed the planting, design and also patients and staff doing garden therapy and art group. The programme will be broadcast on Friday 5th September at 9.30pm on BBC2. Thank you BBC.

Short Listed for Society of Garden Designers’ Awards

Horatio’s Garden is honoured to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Society of Garden Designer’ Awards 2014 . Many congratulations to Cleve West for his incredible designing skill.  We join a shortlist of 30 in the main award categories. http://www.sgdawards.com

Savernake Teenagers raise £4000

Savernake Teenagers raised £4000.00 for Horatio’s Garden from a disco at Christmas and a tennis tournament in May. We are so grateful to the whole team – thank you for all the hard work and generosity.  https://www.facebook.com/savernaketeenagers?ref=stream

ITV’s All Star Mr and Mrs

Huge thanks go to Gregor Fisher and his wife Vicki for nominating Horatio’s Garden to be the beneficiary of their runner up prize for ITV’s All Star Mr and Mrs. Gregor and Vicki have donated the prize towards Horatio’s Garden Scotland  

James Alexander-Sinclair to design new Horatio’s Garden

James Alexander–Sinclair will be the designer for the proposed new Horatio’s Garden at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. James is a vastly experienced garden designer, journalist and broadcaster who writes regularly in the Gardener’s World and the English Garden magazines. He is often seen on television, most recently covering the Chelsea Read the Rest...

Lucy Bentley starts as artist in residence

Artist Lucy Bentley has started her residency in Horatio’s Garden. Lucy will be painting in the garden on Friday and Sunday afternoons

Interwoven Lives – a Passion for Discovery

Eton College Chapel Flower Festival. Open to the public Saturday May 17th 2-4pm. Free entry. Horatio’s Garden was honoured to be part of a celebration of Cotton Hall House. Chosen by the boys, the floral design celebrates two Old Etonians from the house: Sir John Gurdon 1947-52 – Nobel Prize Winner for Medicine 2012 & Horatio Chapple 2007-2011 Toria Britten Read the Rest...

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to open the Food and Plant fair

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will be opening this year’s Food and Plant Fair in Horatio’s Garden on Sunday 29th June. The fair will have around fifty stalls showcasing some of the best producers from the local area. Visitors will be able to choose lunch in the garden from a selection of delicious hot and cold foods, from stone baked pizza fresh from Read the Rest...

Head Gardener Tina wins award for Horatio’s Garden

Head gardener, Tina Crossley, has won second place in the Wiltshire Life Gardener of the Year awards for her work in Horatio’s Garden. The awards ceremony took place on Friday 14th March at the Marlborough Town Hall and celebrated excellence and achievement in Wiltshire. Well done Tina!

Christmas party

Singer song writer Hannah Robinson entertained patients, friends, relatives, staff and volunteers for Horatio’s Garden Christmas party. Unusual winter sunshine graced the afternoon which enabled patients in beds to get into the garden. Mince pies and festive drinks served by young volunteers were enjoyed by all.

Lantern Procession

Scouts and patients paraded their beautiful hand made lanterns around Horatio’s Garden under a starry beautiful sky. Live music by Twist from Salisbury Arts Centre provided entertainment, while plenty of hot chocolate and mince pies kept everyone warm! Patients had made their lanterns in workshops funded by Horatio’s Garden and had taken them to the Salisbury Procession the previous evening.

David Gregg’s Atlantic Crossing

Huge Congratulations to Trustee David Gregg and the crew of yacht Alcedo! In a torrential squall, Alcedo swept across the finish line off St Lucia at 0612 on 12th December 2013. Their overall time for the Atlantic crossing was 17 days, 20 hours and 48 minutes travelling 2959 nautical miles. Thank you for all the incredibly generous donations in support Read the Rest...

Horatio’s Garden 2013 Christmas cards on sale

The planting in Horatio’s Garden has provided the inspiration for this year’s Christmas cards. Dorset artist, Sarah Hough, drew the allium heads after visiting the garden. Sarah took a stall at the Food and Plant Fair in June and was inspired by her surroundings. The cards are 16cm x 16cm and have been printed in the UK on premium matte Read the Rest...

Cleve West visits

Cleve West spent the day planning planting and development of Horatio’s Garden with Tina our head gardener. During the visit Cleve noticed a Hummingbird Moth enjoying the lavender.

Jazz at the castle

The excellent Cheam School Jazz Band provided the entertainment on a sunny June evening at Longford Castle. Guests were greeted with champagne and canapés in the Great Hall. They toured the gardens before enjoying a picnic and the music. The evening raised funds and support for Horatio’s Garden. Our thanks go to the Earl and Countess of Radnor for hosting Read the Rest...

New Horatio’s Garden products

Coming soon – Horatio’s Garden has extended its product range to include these great 100% cotton aprons and tea towels. We’ve designed some plant labels made from pale birch wood and jute bags that are available in two sizes. You’ll be able to buy them online here soon but, if you can’t wait that long, the complete range will be Read the Rest...