Milton of Finavon House Open Gardens

New planting and pruned old fruit trees with mown walkways designed to encourage biodiversity with the main grass not cut until July.  The orchard is home to apple, cherry, damson, quince and plum trees.  Many of the old apples are being re-invigorated and are now becoming heavy cropping

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As you enter the garden, 4 years ago you would have found to your left a 20 foot high maturing leylandii hedge, running from the woodland to the far wall.  This hedge was over 2 yards wide, which is why many of the shrubs are very close to the front of the lawn.  The hedge was removed in it’s entirety and replaced with a native beech hedge.  This is now in it’s 4th season.  The wall border has been replanted and some work is still to do on the large shrubs in the centre.   

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This has been a kitchen garden for centuries and it can still be seen in the grass the original ridge and furrow layout running left to right.  This square raised beds are new and we are using no dig methods and rotating the crops.  The Square strawberry bed has 4 varieties, it is clear which are performing better already.  The currants in the main are now too old to be productive.  New plants are now as replacements.  There are new no prune raspberry canes so it will be interested to see how these perform.   

Companion planting with Marigolds worked a treat last year hence why there are so many self set, these will be thinned out shortly.

The polytunnel and greenhouse are very productive and the long one is new, current being used as a potting shed, that will change next year and become fully productive.

This area was originally during Georgian times a turning circle for visiting horse and carriages.   The Ha-Ha is about to be rebuilt in late summer 2025 as it is deteriorating quite badly as you will see.  Work has already started on levelling the lawns and reducing the box hedges (Buxus Sempervirens)  which were over 5 feet high and of various widths. 

This area was totally inaccessible 4 years ago.  A combination of brambles, saplings and nettles made clearing it a tough challenge.  Now newly created pathways wind through the shrubs and trees. Keep an eye out for native birds, squirrels, and listen for the sound of our resident woodpecker. The woodland area is still being developed, with new shade loving planting being carried out.  We have 3 patches of Gunera which are in the old mill lade area of the garden, which the soil is almost always quite damp

£5 per Adult &  Children Free*

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An example of typical Refreshment options will be on the day:

*NEW FOR JULY 2025 Children may have one drink and Traybake or cake for free.

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Our typlical Choice of Drinks:

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• Filter Coffee (Free Top ups)

• Selection of Teas, Regular or Flavoured

• Decaffeinated Coffee or Tea (Free Top Ups)

• Sparkling or Still Water

• Sanpelegrino Lemon or Orange

A Choice of Cakes and Bakes

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Adults: Two x Cakes and Tray Bakes of your choice: A mix of home made, donated and catering supplied.

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• Pastries

• Millionaire Shortbread

• Muffins

• Ginger Biscuits

• Tray Bakes.