Planting hope at Longford Castle

Longford Castle, the private ancestral seat of the Radnor family for over 300 years, built by Elizabeth I chief lady-in-waiting, will be opening its spectacular gardens to the public on Sunday 6 June from 2pm – 5pm in support of national charity, Horatio’s Garden.

The charity’s patron, the Countess of Radnor, generously offered to host the annual Horatio’s Garden Plant Sale at her home in order to help the charity raise the vital funds required to support their beautiful, accessible garden projects in NHS spinal injury centres across the UK. Each stunning sanctuary offers a calm and comforting haven to help the physical health and psychological wellbeing of patients with spinal injuries, their families and the NHS staff who care for them.

Visitors will be invited to tour Longford Castle’s private, spectacular formal gardens whilst absorbing the remarkable architecture and atmosphere of this historic estate and may also explore the old garden alongside the River Avon. 

There will be plenty of unusual plants available for purchase, including plants donated from Sam Oven’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden. 

Tea and delicious homemade cakes will be available all afternoon in a marquee overlooking the Castle.

The charity’s gorgeous, bespoke merchandise will also be for sale, alongside handcrafted goods created by volunteers, whilst new ethical start-up Loungers Clothing will also be there to offer people the chance to buy their unique, limited edition Horatio’s Garden loungers. 

The day, generously sponsored by Casterbridge Wealth Investments, will be the perfect way to celebrate the easing of lockdown restrictions and promises to be a wonderful way to support a cause that, like many, has had to overcome numerous obstacles throughout the past year in order to keep supporting the people relying on them.

Horatio’s Garden has continued its life-changing work throughout the pandemic and their extraordinary projects are particularly important now, as the space afforded by each garden has enabled families to reunite safely with their loved ones spending time in hospital.

Offering nature as a lifeline before, during and beyond the pandemic is simply what Horatio’s Garden do. In the past year, we’ve all come to relish our green spaces with renewed appreciation and by gathering together at Longford Castle this June, we can help Horatio’s Garden to continue to bring the benefits of the great outdoors to people across the country who need them most.

To ensure everyone’s safety, pre-booking for the Horatio’s Garden Plant Sale is essential. Tickets are available online now at www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/plantsale. Accessible car parking will be free and unlimited. The majority of the garden is accessible to wheelchairs.