New sensory garden opens at the Old Boat Park in Sidmouth

PUBLISHED: 16:00 06 July 2018

Philippa Davies

Flowers and plants to attract birds, bees and insects at the new sensory garden

Contributed

Local TV gardener Anne Swithinbank officially opened the sensory garden

Sidmouth has a new haven for quiet relaxation, meditation and reflection, following the creation of a sensory garden in the Old Boat Park at the end of the Ham by Sidmouth In Bloom.

It was designed by Lynette Talbot to feature plants that could thrive in the windy, salty conditions, and to attract birds, bees and other insects.

Volunteers removed overgrown shrubs, pampas grasses and other plants, and replaced the weed-infested topsoil with new soil and grit, before planting the new garden. It was officially opened by east Devon’s TV gardener Anne Swithinbank on Saturday, June 2.

The garden has plenty of seats, and QR codes on signs to identify the different plants. The team also plan to install bird and bat boxes.

Visitors enjoying Sidmouth's new sensory garden

The preparation of the site was managed by Peter Endersby, and Sidmouth In Bloom would also like to thank the team of volunteers, along with EDDC Streetscene for their help and advice.