Prestwood Gardening Society

Thursday Coach Trip

The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park is an ornamental woodland garden, full of exotic plants, that is designed to be interesting all year round. The Plantation is run on organic principles. Its luscious ground cover and mature trees make good habitat for wildlife and it is part of the Richmond Park Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Just down the road on the banks of the River Thames is Ham House This rare and atmospheric 17th-century house is owned by the National Trust. Ham House is internationally recognised for its superb collection of paintings, furniture and textiles.

 Outside, the open and formal restored 17th-century gardens surround the house. It includes a productive kitchen garden containing many heritage crops, the maze-like ‘Wilderness’, complete with summerhouses, and many beautiful spots perfect for a picnic. You can now visit the hands-on below stairs rooms with just a garden ticket. The bathroom, complete with a wooden bathtub and bed, illustrates how baths were taken before washing became an everyday event.

 … and of course the newly refurbished Orangery café set in the kitchen garden serves light lunches and teas.