Our nursery and seed shop are in the small village of Horningsham in a stunningly beautiful part of Wiltshire on part of the Longleat estate (though we should not be approached from there). The gardens date back to 1756 when Capability Brown redesigned the estate and the site was manned by teams of gardeners producing vegetables, flowers, grapes and peaches for the house.
The teams of gardeners, grapes and peaches are no more but we are trying to carry on the tradition in our own way. Each summer the main glasshouse is filled with tomato and pepper plants, some new that we grow for trial, and some from our existing catalogue. Outside we grow vegetables in raised beds both as trials and for our own tables and flowers in the wide borders.
The Nursery The nursery is open from the begining of April to the end of September where we sell most of the varieties that are listed as plants in 9cm pots. There is normally a good selection available up to the beginning of June, with chilli plants continuing for sale throughout the summer. We regret, though, that we cannot take orders for plants for collection in April but if you phone in May, once the majority of plants have been despatched, we will set them aside for you. We also have a good range of strips of lettuce, cabbage etc plus pots of herbs and a small selection of annuals and perennials.
The Seed Shop This is open all year though if you turn up when the mail order season is at its busiest you might find us a little harassed. Seeds and sundries are always available. Seasonal items such as asparagus and garlic are available at the appropriate time. The Seed Shop migrates around the Nursery according to the time of year. Between April and the end of September it is inside the walls close to the shorter glasshouse; if you visit outside of those months, from October through to the end of March, you will find us in the buildings by the car park.
Tasting Days We hold several each year. These are very enjoyable and give our customers a chance to try out our varieties and those we are trialling and we gain from the comments. We normally start with the tomatoes in mid August and follow on with the chillis and sweet peppers in September. We do not give out dates until we are sure we have enough to taste. Dates will show in Events. To Find Us Do not key our postcode into your SatNav as you will be directed to Longleat, where you will not only queue but be expected to pay for entry! So go past the Longleat entrances and into Horningsham. We are approximately 300 yards past the Bath Arms on the road to Frome and are signed from this road. Nursery Opening Times April and May: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm June to end September: Tuesday -Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-12.30pm Closed October to the end of March
Seed Shop Opening Times As above plus; October to end of March: Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am to 12.30pm
