Careys Secret Garden in Wareham won Gold in the Dorset Tourism Awards, Silver in the South West Tourism Awards and is now being considered for a finalist place in the New Tourism Business category at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022.
Pictured above: Daniel Smith (Garden Designer) and Emma Shaw (Garden Marketer) collected the Silver award for New Tourism Business during a South West Tourism Award ceremony at Sandy Park, Exeter on Thursday 7th April and the newly opened attraction is now being considered for a Bronze, Silver or Gold award in this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence too!
Discovering the 'Secret Garden'
Careys Secret Garden was ‘found’ by Simon Constantine in 2019 when his children pushed through a set of old wooden gates on their family’s newly purchased estate in the rolling hills of the Isle of Purbeck. Once inside, Simon discovered an incredible, breathtakingly beautiful walled garden that had been left wild, untamed and unloved for over 40 years! And so began the substantial yet sensitive transformation, regeneration and rewilding project. With the help of local plantsman Paul Scriven and garden designer Daniel Smith of Beeutiful Gardens (and the use of some smart drone photography!), the hidden garden was reimagined into a wonderful, welcoming, and exciting space for all to enjoy – Careys Secret Garden formerly opened it’s gates to the public on 6th May 2021 – the very first time in it’s entire 150 year old history!
A wonderful space for all
“From the moment you turn into the long drive onto the site you really feel as if you are on an adventure. The founder Simon is determined to create a wonderful space for all and his dedication to rewilding, permaculture and giving back to nature flow through the very essence of this garden and the thinking behind it.
The design has sourcing ethically and locally at its very heart. The team are fantastic ambassadors, they live and breathe Careys Secret Garden and enthuse all who visit.” Dorset Tourism Awards Judge
Careys Secret Garden welcomes visitors to explore the rose garden, arid garden, orchard, food forest, stumpery, herb garden and beautiful ‘Reclaimed Barn’ three days a week; Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The garden is also the backdrop for a range of nature-inspired, creative and sustainability focused courses, workshops and events each month.
Visit England Awards for Excellence
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence take place in early June at the Library of Birmingham and the Secret Garden team will find out if they have made it through as national finalists to win either a Gold, Silver or Bronze award in the New Tourism Award category at the end of the month.
