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The River School

A former Horticultural College garden being brought back to life. For 35 years after WW2 it was known as Oakfield Teacher Training College for Horticulture. It now features a Forest School, apiary, wildlife pond, and children's vegetable plots within a walled garden. It has many uncommon trees and shrubs with others coming to light as we develop the estate.

Owner Info

The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School
The River School

About The River School

Since 1985 the estate (8 acres of mixed areas) has been owned and run as an independent Christian school. Education therefore is its priority in terms of resources, and increasingly it has not been possible to allocate means to maintaining the grounds as desired. In recent years the estate had become neglected until September 2015 when a small group, with the School’s blessing, undertook to commence a programme of reclamation.
This entailed a series of prioritised projects being undertaken in which the recovery of the Walled Garden was seen as of the first importance, along with its large greenhouse area. A new greenhouse and a large fruit cage have been constructed. Other projects included re-establishing a long border in the upper orchard, the Dell (a large hollow that was a former clay pit) and the Art Room area and Sports Field, etc.
These are working school grounds being recovered mainly by volunteers with children encouraged to garden in term time. A historically important but not typical NGS garden.

Website:

https://www.riverschool.co.uk

The River School features

  • Cashless
  • Children Very Welcome
  • Countryside Views
  • Groups Welcome
  • Historical Garden
  • Refreshments
  • Roses
  • Vegetable Area
  • Wildlife Garden

Location details

The River School,
Worcester,
Worcestershire,
WR3 7ST

Directions to The River School
At J6 M5, take A449 signed for Kidderminster, turn off at 1st turning marked for Blackpole. Turn R to Fernhill Heath & at T-junc with A38 turn L. The school is ½m on R.

The River School openings

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Light refreshments in the Lewis Room near garden entrance. Refreshments in aid of The Worcester Christian Education Trust.
Admission Adult: £5.00
Child: Free
Opening times 10:30-15:30

Accessibility

  • No information available at this time, please get in touch with the owners for details.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at The River School at this time.

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

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Sorry, The River School does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. The River School seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.