Visits need to be booked. Please download a pdf copy of the booking form and email it to us.

Talks (blue text) are held in Bruton Community Hall, doors open at 7pm for 7:30pm start.

Programme for 2026

MONDAY, 16th FEBRUARY Colin Higgins, known as ‘Higgy’, will speak about ‘Learning nature’s way - gardening for insects’. ‘Higgy’ is a well-known photographer, wildlife gardener and garden designer from Yatton in Somerset, who is keen for everyone to attract more beneficial wildlife into their gardens. He will also be bringing some of his cards and bird/insect boxes for sale.

FEBRUARY/MARCH – the first of our ad hoc garden visits - A visit to be arranged nearer the time and according to the weather via the Ad hoc Garden Visits Group.

MONDAY, 16th MARCH Ewen Jones and Charles Couzens will speak about the ‘Forest of Selwood’ charity’s environmental projects. This charity was recently founded by a number of local environmentalists with the aims of reviving nature, reconnecting people with the landscape and slowing climate change. Ewen is a co-founder and Project Director for the Forest of Selwood, former Bruton Mayor and former Chair of Bruton Town Council. Charles is a Trustee of the Charity and a long-time resident of Bruton who has worked in sustainable development and environmental management with such organisations as the Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts and Soil Association for over 40 years.

WEDNESDAY 15th APRIL 6pm – Talk and discount shopping
Castle Gardens, Sherborne, DT9 5NR
Gold Club shopping visit with short talk and 25% discount on purchases. Please bring your membership card or speak to a committee member on arrival. Booking essential, members only.
Directions: Follow signs to Sherborne Castle, the Garden Centre is by the gates to Sherborne Castle.

SATURDAY 9th MAY 9:30am
Plant sale /coffee morning in Bruton Community Hall
This is a fund raiser and shop window for the Society. Please support it and bring as many plants, seedlings, produce and cakes as you can. Please label these as it makes it so much easier for both sellers and buyers. Don’t forget to pick up your show schedule.

WEDNESDAY, 13th May, 2.30pm
Visit to Longstock Park Water Garden, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6EH
A peaceful water garden with charming wooden bridges, meandering paths and diverse flora providing a soothing ambiance in stunning Hampshire countryside formerly owned by a founder of the John Lewis partnership. Cold drinks and light snacks available at the garden with the Farm Shop and cafe 1 mile away.
Cost: Members £10, non-members £10
Directions: Take the A303 (east) and after 41.7 miles, head south on the A3057. After 3.2 miles turn right onto Fullerton Road (signposted for Longstock), cross the river bridge and take the first turning to the left signposted to Longstock. The garden car park is on the left in 0.75 miles after you’ve passed the Farm Shop and Café.

WEDNESDAY, 10th JUNE, 2.30pm
Visit to Karmacations, Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7RP
“Magical” sums up this brand new Japanese inspired oasis tucked away in magnificent Dorset countryside. The Garden of Tranquility is full of surprises, stories, scenery and sculptures with royal connections. Highlights include a stunning metal bridge, charming tea house, lucky torii Gate, gilded stepping stones, Buddha island and ancient meadow. Maximum group size 40 so book early. Dogs welcome.
Cost: Members £12, non-members £12, includes tea, cake and goody bag!
Directions: Head south on the A357, A3030 and B3043 toward Buckland Newton. Drive past the Buckland Newton village shop on the left and after ½ a mile turn left into Bookham Lane. Drive up the lane past the farm on the left then drive downhill past the stables. Park in the field opposite the red gates garden entrance on the right.

MONDAY, 22nd JUNE 6.00pm (alternative bad weather date - Thursday, 25th June)
Members’ Summer Social, Wellspring Cottage, Castle Cary, BA7 7LL by kind permission of Jane and Anthony Hodges. Jane is the Society’s Secretary and we are delighted that she is hosting us in her recently acquired and still developing garden.
Cost: £7 members, £9 non-members, includes a glass of wine and nibbles
Directions: From Bruton/Wincanton turn right off A371 (Cumnock Road) at the former Waggon & Horses pub on to Wyke Road keeping left where the road divides, Wellspring Cottage is on the lefthand side. Parking is possible at The Hut, Shepherd’s Gate, Wyke Road, 100 feet past Wellspring Cottage.

WEDNESDAY, 15th JULY, 2.30pm
Visit to Stoberry House, Stoberry Park. Wells, BA5 3LD
Breathtaking views over Wells Cathedral. This 5-acre family garden is planted sympathetically within its landscape providing stunning combinations of vistas accented with wildlife ponds and water features. In comparison the 1½ acre walled garden is full of interesting planting, colour and interest for every season - irises, salvias, newly planted wildflower area and a new modern rockery.
Cost: Members £13, non-members £14, includes tea and cake
Directions: From Bristol - Wells on A39, turn left into College Road and immediately left through Stoberry Park.

AUGUST – the second of our ad hoc garden visits - A visit to be arranged nearer the time and according to the weather via the Ad hoc Garden Visits Group.

SATURDAY, 22nd AUGUST, 2:30pm - Annual Show
Fitzjames Hall, King’s School, Bruton, BA10 0ED
As this is one of our regular highlights, we always hope for a bumper year, whatever the weather! Do please consider entering for some of the many and varied classes that are on offer for adults and children and come along to support the show on the day. Full details in the show schedule which can be picked up at the Plant Sale and after that from local shops, the Library and Community Office.

WEDNESDAY, 16th SEPTEMBER, 2.30pm
Visit to Empire Farm, Throop Road Templecombe, Somerset, BA8 0HR
Sally Morgan’s 200-year-old walled garden, recently featured on BBC Gardeners World, was once the garden of a rectory. The garden extends to about two-thirds of an acre and features a kitchen garden, orchard and large ornamental area with an extensive water harvesting system, herbaceous beds and gravel garden area. With climate change in mind, the plant selection is focussed on climate resilient plants, biodiversity and permeability while the beds are all heavily mulched. Sally is a ‘no-dig’ organic gardener, writer and speaker and will walk us round the garden. There will be free time to explore for ourselves before refreshments, the garden is flat but not wheelchair friendly.
Cost: Members £7, non-members £8, includes tea and cake. There is a limit of 30 visitors.
Directions: Head south on the A357 towards Templecombe. After 3.6 miles turn left onto Throop Road. The garden is on the right after 0.2 miles.

MONDAY, 21st SEPTEMBER Gold Club Talk by a Castle Gardens member of staff about ‘Putting your Garden to Bed. Speaker to be confirmed.

MONDAY, 19th OCTOBER Talk by Chris Smith of Pennard Plants about ‘Growing Unusual Edibles’. Chris Smith co-founded Pennard Plants Nursery in 2001 within a Victoria walled garden in the village of East Pennard. Chris specialises in heritage varieties of edibles - vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs, with around 600 varieties of seeds, all available by mail order. Chris has long been involved in horticulture and has won Gold Medals at Chelsea.

MONDAY, 16th NOVEMBER Talk and demonstration by Myra Cox from Highbridge. Myra is an experienced creator of seasonal decorations for the home who has taught her art to many garden clubs and workshops. She particularly likes using foliage commonly found in people’s gardens so they can replicate her arrangements at home as well as re-using and repurposing containers.

MONDAY, 18th JANUARY 2027 AGM and Talk
SATURDAY, 23rd JANUARY 2027 Winter Lunch

Details to be confirmed in the Autumn Newsletter