Fullers Mill Garden

Help us retain our RHS Partner Garden of the Year title

As current regional winners for the Midlands and East Anglia RHS Partner Garden of the Year, we’d love to retain our title.

Following on from last years’ success, we’re excited to be taking part in the second RHS Partner Garden of The Year competition!

As we all emerge from the restrictions of the last two years, it’s never been more important to get out into nature, and enjoy the sounds, scents and sights of the nation’s gardens and the RHS is once again asking visitors to vote for their favourite among its 207 Partner gardens.

The theme of the competition is ‘Feel Good’, reflecting how beneficial exercise and a connection to nature are good for mental health and wellbeing. If your visits to our garden has made you feel good, we want to know.

Annie Dellbridge, the Head Gardener of Fullers Mill said: “We were overwhelmed that the visitors took the time to vote for us last year, and we’re so proud that they love the garden as much as we do. We’d be delighted to retain our title, but can only do that with support of our visitors.”

Visitors at Perennial’s Fullers Mill Garden can explore the magical gardens around the Mill Pond planted with massed primulas, the majestic displays of lilies in the Top Garden, the Strip with its bed of sun-loving plants and views across the lake, and the Low Garden where the mix of shady areas and sunny glades offers ideal conditions for a whole range of charming woodland plants.

We’ve been so grateful for your support over this difficult time, and we’d love it if you would vote for us!

Fullers Mill is an enchanting and tranquil seven-acre creation on the banks of the River Lark. It combines a beautiful site of light dappled woodland with a plantsman’s collection of unusual shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants. It is a garden of truly year-round interest. The garden was created by the late Bernard Tickner MBE (1924-2017). He moved to Fullers Mill in 1958 and spent over 50 years creating the garden you see today from rough scrub and woodland.

“The gardens at Fullers Mill Garden are delightful and well-maintained with friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and garden staff, who were happy to chat with visitors and very willing to share their expert knowledge.” Hazel Hook, Visit England assessor.

In 2004, Bernard and his wife Bess donated the garden to The Fullers Mill Trust, a registered charity, which was established to manage the garden and to ensure its future. In 2013, the garden was gifted to Perennial, for its long-term preservation. Head Gardener Annie Dellbridge and her team of gardeners and volunteers now maintain the garden for the enjoyment of visitors from April to October.

How Perennial Helps

Perennial is the UK’s only charity looking after people in horticulture and their families at any stage of life. If you work with flowers, plants, trees or grass, our friendly and experienced team are here to deliver completely free, confidential and personal support. We understand the devastating impact unexpected personal challenges and financial pressures has on lives. If you need help or know someone who does please contact us on 0800 093 8543 or visit perennial.org.uk.

With special thanks to Marcus Harpur, Jonathan Ward and Charlie Colmar for the photography used on these pages.