The Association of Gardens Trusts
Caring for historic gardens and designed landscapes
The Association consists of 35 County Gardens Trusts from all over England, and is affiliated to the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust. As a national charity, our focus is on promoting the enjoyment of gardens and parks to the general public. We learn about garden heritage and designed landscapes, engage in conservation, planning and garden research, and encourage gardens in schools.
Use this site to discover historic gardens and landscapes. Scroll down to find out about events near you and catch up on conservation news. Find out how to get involved and learn more about garden heritage in your area. See County Gardens Trusts for contacts and to enquire about membership.
Conservation reports and projects, government legislation.
Encouraging and supporting school visits, school projects, creating school gardens and gaining funding.
Articles, book reviews, links to databases and online archives.
What's on?
Upcoming Events:
Friday 25 May 2012 to Sunday 27 May 2012 Gardens and Literature Weekend School, University of Oxford Department of Continuing Education in conjunction with the Garden History Society at Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford >More details and booking
Tuesday 29 May and Wednesday 30 May 2012
TWO DAY ACCESSIBILITY EVENT at the CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN: Accessibility Workshop and Audio-Described Tours for blind and partially sighted people sponsored by accessiblegardens.org.uk >More details
Saturday 9 June 2012
The University of Cambridge, One Day Conference, Mediaeval and Tudor Gardens - New Research, Newnham College, Cambridge >More details
Saturday 23 June 2012
Enjoy a visit with Berkshire Gardens Trust to three private gardens in West Berkshire, The Well House, Honeycroft House, Ingle Spring. Gardens open 2.00pm to 6.00pm. >More details
Thursday 28 June 2012 10.00am to 4.30pm
Understanding more about Historic Parkland – Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, Henley-on-Thames Exploring the designed and natural features of historic parkland. Part of the Historic Landscape Project training for southeast CGTs (there may be places for CGTs outside of southeast). 10am – 4.30pm 28 June 2012. Trainers: Matthew Tickner, Land Use Consultants; Ruth Garner, Natural England with Verena McCaig, AGT. >More details
Sunday 1 July 2012 - 10.00am to 5.00pm
Dorset Gardens Trust, 2012 Garden Day at Waterston Manor, DT2 7S >More details
Thursday 26 July 2012 -10.00am to 4.15pm
Researching a Site for Local Listing Juniper Hall, near Dorking.
Part of the Historic Landscape Project training for southeast CGTs (there may be places for CGTs outside of southeast). Trainers: Virginia Hinze with Verena McCaig. >More details
Saturday 11 August 2012 - 9.30am to 5.00pm
Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust, The Hartwell Seminar 2012 to be held at Hartwell House, The Egyptian Influence in the Garden, >More details
Friday 7 - Sunday 9 September 2012
AGT Annual Weekend Conference hosted by Avon Gardens Trust will be based in the World Heritage City of Bath, accommodation will be at the Mercure Bath Francis Hotel and the theme of 'Polite Society, Lifestyle, Parks and Gardens' will be explored through visits to designed landscapes within Bath and the surrounding area, with visits to Badminton, Dyrham Park, Prior Park and Sydney Gardens. > Full details and booking form
Friday 21 September 2012, 9.45am to 4.30pm
The AGT, Yorkshire Gardens Trust and The Yorkshire Sculpture Park in association with The Garden History Society Research and Recording Study Day, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Bretton, West Yorkshire, 'In a most agreeable vally', The development of the landscape at Bretton Hall, 1720 to 2012. > More information and booking form
17 October 2012 - 10am to 4.15pm Responding to Planning Applications affecting historic designed landscapes The Orchard Centre, Basingstoke. Introductory day course designed specifically for CGT volunteers wishing to unravel the planning system and support their CGT in conserving deisgned landscapes. Trainer: Verena McCaig. >More details
News
Think Drought. Whether gardeners live in a hosepipe ban area or not, please encourage them to water wisely. Seven water companies across the south and east of England have announced hosepipe bans now in force: Thames, Anglian, South East Water, Southern Water, East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and Waterwise have been discussing the ban with the water companies and, for the first time all seven have agreed to allow gardeners to use drip irrigation systems during the periods of water restrictions. (Although the Southern Water agreement does not cover Hampshire or the Isle of Wight). An official drought has also been announced in parts of Yorkshire. >To find out more, visit the HTA website
London Parks and Gardens Trust launch new website:
London Gardens Online www.londongardensonline.org.uk
to be officially launched 8 May 2012 > More
May 18 2012 - First International Day of Plants a special day for plants launched under the umbrella of the European Science Organisation. supported by a network of national volunteers in over 33 countries worldwide.More than 60 institiutions, universities, botanical gardens and museums, farmers and companies will open their doors with plant-based events for all ages. Tim Smit, KBE, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of the Eden Project, is UK spokesperson for this wonderful initiative. In the UK 58 institutions have already joined in.
Do you want to join in? Read more
A PR toolbox is available for advertising material for downloading and printing http://www.plantday12.eu/pr-toolbox.htm
TWO DAY ACCESSIBILITY EVENT at the CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN:
May 29th and 30th 2012 Accessibility Workshop and Audio-Described Tours for blind and partially sighted people >Details for booking
Open Garden Squares Weekend 2012- Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June 2012- SPECIAL GROUP RATES OFFERED > More details
Garden Helpers Needed! Friendly, enthusiastic volunteers are needed to help at outstanding gardens and squares in London during the Open Garden Squares Weekend on 9 & 10 June. The volunteers’ main duties are to welcome the visitors, check and sell tickets and ensure that the garden is treated with respect. No one to be on duty for more than half a day.Every volunteer will receive a free ticket to the whole two-day event. If you or any of your friends would like to be involved, please contact Jock Blakey by email atvol@opensquares.orgor by telephone on 07707 066 765. >More details
www.opensquares.org
Restoration in A Recession - an article by Min Wood, Garden Writer and Place Maker, first published by Dorset Gardens Trust Journal 2012 > More details
Lost Garden Restoration at Pencuik >News
AGT SW Education Day at Sir Harold Hillier’s Garden -Report
New Masters Degree - The University of Buckingham announces a unique new degree in the history of gardens and landscaping, to be based in London, from October 2012. > More details
Plant Heritage's Threatened Plants Project – conserving old, rare and valuable cultivars > More details
Coming soon -Claude Hitching's new book
on James Pulham & Son > details & order form 
2011 Localism Bill - information and comment by Tony Hurrell
Risk Management of Trees
National Tree Safety Groups guidance document, Common Sense: Risk Management of Trees.> More info
Download our latest AGT Eyecatcher newsletter here
European Heritage Garden Network - more to discover
2012 exhibitions at Compton Verney - > More details
Diamond Grove Jubilee Celebration in Grantham, Lincolnshire
Learning Courses at Brantwood, Coniston Water, Lake District
250 acres of woodlands, meadows and gardens
One day workshops with Estate Manager, Sally Beamish
> More details
News re New Masters Course in Historic Environment
Cambridge Insitute of Continuing Education, Madingley, announce a part-time study Masters Degree in Historic Environment 2012–2014
> Details
Love Parks Week 21-29 July 2012 > More details
London 2012 Olympics Are you interested in getting involved in nationwide Local Leaders campaign? Go to http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/local-leaders/ where you can see a Garden for the Games initiative. They are looking for community-minded people across the UK to sign up (online) to become a Local Leader and then they will get access to more information as to how to get themselves and their local community involved in various different activities. There are weekly briefings every Wednesday at 4pm in Canary Wharf to those who are keen to get involved – anyone who would like to come to a briefing should in the first instance email Lucy.Campion@london2012.com
New CD - a Play concerning Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and architect Edwin Lutyens See www.gardensandpeople.co.uk to order.
Garden History Society 2012 Essay Prize
The Garden History Society has launched its Eighth Annual Essay Prize. The prize is open to any student registered in a bona fide university or institute of higher education, or any student who has graduated from such an institute in the past twelve months. > More details
Report AGT Annual Conference
Sept 2-4 2011 at Worcester College Oxford hosted by Oxfordshire Gardens Trust
AGT Trustee's blog
AGT Trustee Liz Ware is documenting her thoughts and experiences for AGT members - feel free to add your thoughts, responses and opinions!
> Read Liz's AGT blog
Opening All the Gates
Opening All the Gates is a partnership project between The National Trust, The Historic Houses Association, The Royal Horticultural Society and The Association of Gardens Trusts. Opening All the Gates is a legacy of the Gateway Gardens Trust and is supported by English Heritage.
> Opening All the Gates
> Garden Gates are Opening
For more news items > See more news items
Historic Landscapes project
Conservation through Partnership
