Students from our Horticulture courses rounded off their academic year with a special visit to The Newt in Somerset, renowned for its innovative garden design and historical exhibits.
The Newt, well known for its sponsorship of the Chelsea Flower Show, features a fascinating garden attraction titled The Story of Gardening. This immersive, interactive exhibit offers a journey through the history of horticulture, beginning with a treetop walkway through graceful ash trees and continuing into engaging displays focused on soil, scent, botany, and garden design. Highlights also include virtual reality pods, where students experienced iconic global gardens such as the abundant orchards of Babylonstoren and the tranquil lily ponds of Monet’s Giverny.
Students also had the opportunity to explore the garden’s archival treasures, including the esteemed library collection of the late Rosemary Verey, one of Britain’s most celebrated gardeners and author of acclaimed works such as The Scented Garden, English Country Gardens, Garden Diary, and Making of a Garden.
As a gesture of appreciation, Course Leader Emma Butler presented The Newt with a historic horticultural book from the college library.
Our library team felt this rare title would be a valuable addition to The Newt’s archives,” said Emma. “Given their living collection of trees from counties across the UK, this contribution complements their commitment to botanical heritage.” The gift was warmly received by The Newt’s team.
The visit concluded with an inspiring tour of the gardens and exhibits, providing students with a rich overview of garden history, a timely and valuable experience ahead of their upcoming RHS exams.
Emma expressed her gratitude saying
It’s incredibly important for our students to witness the diversity within horticulture. This visit showcased not only various garden styles and design trends throughout history but also demonstrated how gardens can reflect and enrich the surrounding landscape.
Find out more about our Horticulture courses here: https://www.btc.ac.uk/search-results/?keyword=&type=adult-learning&subject=horticulture-gardening-landscape-design
