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20 Wicket Road

Built around a modern terrace, this small suburban garden (just 18 x 13 metres) sits on an awkward shaped plot, over a bed of clay. Set down from its neighbours, it developed a habit of flooding. But you'd never know. 'Borrow, hint, reveal, distract, attract, conceal' – the design uses every trick in the gardening handbook to create a truly memorable space.

Owner Info

  • Carron Bowen (& Peter Hellawell)
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road
20 Wicket Road

About 20 Wicket Road

Most suburban gardeners have to work with a few inherited issues but here there were challenges at every turn – everything from a plethora of 1950’s concrete structures (some of them hidden underground) to a forest of mare’s tail.

A short exhibition reveals the development of the garden – breaking down the ‘mystery’ of the design process, working with what is while following the ‘right plant, right place’ mantra. Highly structured, the garden is surprisingly low maintenance; its three-year process of adaptation and major re-thinks creating a layered look with a seemingly readable history.

But all is not as it appears – these dry beds and screes within their lush surroundings, conceal a tenancy to flood – a veritable horticultural trompe-l’œil.

Exhibition of the garden's history, some unusual plants, a unique 'quay' (for storing run-off water as part of a hidden drainage system) and an array of small-scale features.

20 Wicket Road features

  • Newly Opened This Year
  • Plants for sale
  • Refreshments
  • Wheelchair access

Location details

20 Wicket Road,
Bournemouth,
Dorset,
BH10 5LT

Directions to 20 Wicket Road
From Kinson Green (The Hub/Library): follow Wimborne Rd (A341) towards Northbourne. Turn R after shops into Kitscroft Rd, R again into Bramley Rd; Wicket Rd is second L. No 20 is on the L.

20 Wicket Road openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

Accessibility

  • Access is via the garage through a narrow doorway (0.66 m / 26'). However, once in the garden, paths are wide with step-free route to most areas.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at 20 Wicket Road at this time.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at  20 Wicket Road, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at 20 Wicket Road are accessible to wheelchair users.

20 Wicket Road is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.