There is a treasure in Co Down that is proving a salve to the soul to those who visit.
The Walled Garden in Helen's Bay is a listed Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden built in 1886 and now undergoing major restoration.
Lorraine and James Small and their team have committed years to perfecting organic practices and now they’re a go-to source for the best of the country’s organic vegetables for the public and Northern Ireland’s restaurants.
Read More: From dumping ground to community garden
When Lorraine and James bought the Grade B1 listed Walled Garden at the end of 2006 what they discovered was the bones of a wonderful Victorian secret kitchen garden, overgrown with invasive pernicious weeds, old stables, a gardener’s cottages and a rusted lean-to glasshouse.
Today visitors can still experience its old charm but the once weed strewn garden is now a picture of seasonal organic growing, peace and serenity creating an atmosphere that people say feels positively healing amid the chaos of modern life.
And as the Summer approaches they are getting ready for the popular Saturday morning Farm Market and as it approaches the garden is open for special private events such as garden tours, creative craft and health and wellbeing workshops. All profits from these events are reinvested in the restoration project so everyone is helping to make a difference.
And the next special private garden tours of the Walled Garden are happening next Saturday, May 14 with slots available 10am - 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Lorraine said: "I’m getting prepared the May 14 garden tours washing all my vintage china which always takes me back to my childhood selling tea sets and dinner services in my father’s shop in Armagh.
"I may have an obsession with vintage china but it’s the perfect vice, each piece is a little handcrafted work of art, that was once valued and loved.. remember your grandmother’s china cabinet where the towering stacks of 'good china' were proudly displayed and only brought out once or twice each year.
"I just love getting out my mismatched, china menagerie, of all shapes, sizes, colours and patterns so you forget those boring brown disposable cups most of which are not biodegradable or recyclable because of their polyethylene lining anyway and think eco-friendly, reusable and vintage.
And on June 26, the team will hosting Yoga Meditation & Brunch experiences in the calm and peaceful surroundings of the Walled Garden from 10am to 12.30pm
The experience is suitable for all abilities and participants are asked to bring their own mat and advise of any dietary preferences ahead of time.
