Amisfield Walled Garden
Amisfield Park, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3TE
Amisfield Walled Garden is a large, 18th-century walled garden on the outskirts of Haddington in East Lothian. The garden once formed an important part of the estate associated with Amisfield House, the home of the Earls of Wemyss, which was demolished in the 1920s. With an area of almost eight acres, and with five-metre high stone walls, it is one of the largest and most impressive walled gardens in Scotland.
Over the past 12 years, a group of energetic and dedicated local people has taken on the task of restoring it from a neglected wilderness into a vibrant community garden. After setting up a charity and obtaining a long-term lease, members of the Amisfield Preservation Trust began planning the development of the garden. The dual aim was to create a garden with year-round interest for visitors, as well as encouraging volunteer gardeners of all ages and abilities to learn a range of horticultural skills.
Under the supervision of a volunteer co-ordinator, the group has cleared overgrown shrub and trees, laid out footpaths on the historic pattern, the layout shown on old maps dated 1855, and planted herbaceous borders, orchards, vegetable beds, a maze and sensory gardens. There is a modern education building for shelter and teaching space.
The garden contains a large collection of heritage apple trees, including the local varieties, East Lothian Pippin and Lady of Wemyss. The high stone walls provide ideal conditions for growing trained fruit trees including plums, figs, apricots and cherries. To extend the season of interest, a winter garden has recently been established, with willow, dogwood, birch and snake bark maples providing ornamental stem colours that contrast with the evergreen ground cover.
Volunteers work on a regular basis all year round at Amisfield.
Website: www.amisfield.org.uk
Telephone: 07704 049572
Opening times:
Summer – Monday to Friday 1-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm
Winter – Monday and Friday 1-4pm, Wednesday and Saturday 10am – 1pm
Admission costs: Free
Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org
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