Coveney & Wardy Hill Gardens

About Coveney & Wardy Hill Gardens

The parish of Coveney is a small upland Fen village on a clay ridge and a lower Hamlet on the black fen. A visit offers the prospects of visiting Four gardens of varying sizes and interest.

Whilst passing through the village of Coveney it is worthwhile savouring the magnificent view of Ely Cathedral on one side and our 13th century church and its ‘Wildlife Trust Churchyard Award’, that welcomes you. Then wandering past quaint and varied houses to the village Green and old Lock-up, with its animal ‘Pound’ beside the village pond.

‘Down the road’ lies the parish’s hamlet of Wardy Hill and the open gardens, here the soil is varied, from clay in some to black soil over a sand base in others; thus the gardens offer a contrast; the names, Hey Chapel and Drovers, hark back its past and Toadsacre to its nature.

The Chapel shows its character the moment you walk through the gate and a winding path leads up to a viewing point for the Cathedral and a magnificent veg garden, then back down through ever changing gardens and seating areas, past ponds and rose arbours to a restful cup of tea.

Next is1a, The Green, a new property with a more modern style of planting and layout, to complement the house. First planted in 2022 it is surprisingly mature with arbours and pergolas giving interest to well shaped and placed herbaceous borders. The range of many unusual plants warrants careful viewing , it is definitely a lovely a garden that will be fun to see as it grow and matures. This year another bed has been added to entice and delight.

Tucked away is Toadsacre, 2/3 acre of parkland style garden with a Heritage Orchard of mixed fruit trees, mature oaks and mown paths to wander along, in a sea of native meadow. By the house is a Potage plot, within the terrace, where tea is served alongside homemade cakes to add to your enjoyment.

Drovers is a garden based on Chinese pleasure garden philosophy but with English naturalistic planting that wanders by a wildlife pond, beneath mature trees to a rose garden and potted terrace.

Over the drove lies an RSPB site for ground nesting birds and flood meadows that run along the banks of the New Bedford river and washes, giving lovely, dog friendly, fenland walks beside a wildfowl lake.

For those with energy left, you can play garden games, boule or horseshoes before restoring the sore of foot, with tea, that is included in the ticket price and Homemade cake, for a donation.

We hope you will enjoy an afternoon sharing our wonderful countryside and take as much pleasure as we do, in our gardens and all our parish has to offer, whilst supporting this worth while cause.
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