February Newsletter

For updates on the garden and life at the Abbey, why not follow us on instagram.The garden is beginning to wake up from its Winter slumber with swathes of snowdrops in abundance, the beginnings of a crocus carpet, Winter sweet, camellias, hellebores and mahonia in bloom. Along with the first signs of Spring, there’s plenty of dates in the diary to look forward to in the coming months.

Snowdrop Weekends In February

There’s nothing more cheering at this time of year than clusters of delicate snowdrops gently nodding their heads. Throughout February, the gardens will be carpeted in a spectacular display, heralding the start of Spring, a beautiful sight to enjoy at a reduced Winter rate of £5. The tearooms and gift shop will be open every weekend throughout the month.

Supper Club, 10th March

We’ll be setting the table again on 10th March for our next supper club, a celebration of all that is Spring with porchetta on the menu (hand reared by Ed, the chef, from Mello View ), seasonal greens and custard tarts infused with appley goodness. Of course it’s not just about the food. There’ll be a wine tasting with vintner Paddy Magill, in the Great Hall . It’s a casual byo type of evening with a choice of wine to complement the menu, also available to buy on the night. Tickets are £30, available to buy online.

Mothering Sunday Afternoon Tea

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than by treating your mum to afternoon tea at Forde Abbey on Sunday 11th March. We’ve created a very special afternoon tea menu for the occasion and all mums will be given a posy of seasonal flowers from the Abbey gardens.

Spring Plant Fair, 4th March

Over 30 local nurseries will be joining us on Sunday 4th March for our annual plant and gardening fair (10am – 4pm), packed with pots of planting inspiration and ideas for the Spring garden.

It comes at the start of crocus week (March 3 – 11) when these jewel-like flowers carpet the lawns and line the pathways in and around the rockery.

Spring Garden Masterclasses, 12th May

An exciting new series of garden masterclasses begins in April, organised by garden designer Annie Guilfoyle and plantsman Noel Kingsbury, in association with Gardens Illustrated. Tulips will be the focus of the Spring masterclass at Forde Abbey on the 12th May with guest speakers, Anna Pavord, Keith Wiley and Harriet Rycroft.

If you would like a programme for this year’s concert series, please email your name and address to: info@fordeabbey.co.uk – with Concert Series in the heading.