This month’s Hometown Tourist destination is the beautiful Kathy Brown’s Garden in the north Bedfordshire village of Stevington – a must-see for any horticulture fans.
After settling in the village with their family 38 years ago, Kathy and her husband Simon began developing the gardens in 1993, although back then they never intended to open to the public.
“We knew the garden had great possibilities, but it was never an ambition to welcome visitors here,” said Kathy.
“But by the mid 1990s the children were growing up, we turned our attention to the garden and once we’d started we continued with gusto.”
In 1997 they took part in the Open Garden Scheme, which Kathy says gave them pride in what they’d created and an impetus to “keep striving forward”.
Inspired by naturalistic planting, rather than traditional herbaceous borders, Kathy sowed a quarter-of-an-acre wildflower meadow that has now been established for 26 years and is a haven for butterflies and wildlife.
Another area of the garden has been inspired by the 1946 Barbara Hepworth painting, Green Caves, which in turn was inspired by the Cornish coastline.
“It’s a very relaxing part of the garden,” explained Kathy. “There’s dappled shade, and the wind through the weeping birch trees sounds like a seascape.”
This June, the garden will feature an explosion of roses.
“There are masses of buds, so the display is going to be super,” predicts Kathy.
Roses also feature in her delicious homemade cakes, and visitors can buy her new recipe book, Kathy’s Cakes from the Garden, for £10.
The garden is open most Tuesdays from April to September, plus they host special events throughout the season.
Open days are featured in our weekly What’s On Guide, which you can find here.
On Sunday, 27 June, the garden is open in the evening for guests to bring their own picnics and enjoy the late summer sunshine (weather gods permitting).
Kathy Brown’s Garden, The Manor House, Church Rd, Stevington, Bedford MK43 7QB tel: 01234 822064. Open: selected Tuesdays during April – September plus special events throughout the season.
Visit the website for full details: kathybrownsgarden.com
