Plant Hunters’ Hang Outs
Explore
Why not Hunt for Plants (and other interesting things) at our favourite explorer hangouts. Get inspired, take notes, explore Architectural Plants in the wild. Also featuring places of interest that are soothing to creatives, design led and maker friendly.
We love supporting similar like minded businesses that share our passion for ‘doing things well’ and we assume you will too.
Happy exploring.
Guy
West Sussex:
Swaffer Antiques, Arundel
12 miles to the South West of Architectural Plants, 20 minutes drive
Antiques & Interior delights
Friends of AP, Spencer and Freya run a brilliant business in Arundel and have done for many years. Worth following on instagram for inspiration. Spencer is a magician with displaying their collection both inside and outside at their shop. Appointment required or ring their bell, also available online.
Goodwood Aerodrome, Chichester
Light aircraft, helicopters & fast cars
19 miles to the South West of Architectural Plants, 29 minute drive
There is a café at the aerodrome with indoor and outdoor seating. You can even try a taster flight with the excellent flight school or experience the thrill of being a passenger onboard their Harvard (the Spit fire training aircraft). If you hang around long enough you will also see the Spitfire’s take off. Various car related activities and events running regularly, we often exhibit at the famous ‘Goodwood revival’ – maybe see you there. Also see post on the Kennels.
Nymans, National Trust, Handcross
Garden & house
18 miles to the North East of Architectural Plants, 30 minute drive
One of my favourite gardens locally and a real planty treat. Lots of AP’s plant collection started here – we have also recently introduced Styrax and Drimys lanceolata having seen them do so well in this garden. The old ruins are really special and a treat to see the exotics growing here – really nice dry garden too. Always love to hug the redwoods. Good children’s activities in the holidays too.
Surrey:
Hannah Pescher Sculpture Garden
13 miles to the North East of Architectural Plants, 22 minute drive
Sculpture Garden
This is somewhere we always recommend our customers visit, especially those looking to create a woodland hideaway. Not too far from Leith Hill, this is a magical sculpture garden set up by Hannah Pescher (Founder and original curator) and Anthony Paul (award winning landscape architect and good friend of AP). Anthony and Vikki now curate the indoor and outdoor sculpture collection – at every turn you find something new to view. Brilliant swathes of planting and ponds that reflect their surroundings, it is really worth spending time here taking in everything that they have created over the last 40 years. For me it is always hard to leave the garden and I look forward to each return back.
You need to book and always check they are in season and open.
National Trust Winkworth arboretum, Godalming
17 miles to the North West of Architectural Plants, 30 minute drive
A hidden gem. Great collection of trees and the lakeside building feels reminiscent of a Canadian log cabin. Great collection of Rhododendrons, most suitable for this area. Try and hunt down my favourite tree – the Trochodendron (link to page) – tell us if you find it.
Norfolk:
Made In Cley, North Norfolk.
190 miles North East
A real treat for visitors to the North Norfolk coast line – we stumbled across this shop pre coastal walk. They sell both ceramics and jewellery, started in 1984 in the small village of Cley-next-the-Sea. A group of makers that collaborate and share their style and experience in everything they make.
A treasure trove of usable and decorative ceramics – a pottery sweet shop. Must visit and then follow up with a visit to the nearby deli – Picnic Fayre – you won’t be disappointed.
Picnic Fayre, North Norfolk.
190 miles North East
Long walks along the North Norfolk coast can leave you hungry and in need of supplies. This deli is a real delight, a few shops along from the fantastic Made in Cley pottery shop. Particular favourites are the samosas, cakes and the frozen pizza’s – all very impressive.
Barbados:
Hunte’s Garden, Barbados
4,100 miles to the South West of Architectural Plants, 9 hours away
Tropical Plant Paradise
The most well signed garden in the world, every street sign leads here from across the island. It didn’t disappoint. Now in our top 3 gardens list. Given the incredible humidity during the wet season and the benefits it gets from being planted in an old cave that collapsed on an old sugar plantation – it feels like you have arrived in ‘Eden’.
The planting is multi-layered, bold and colourful. You explore the different spaces within it, can sit amongst the plants with generous amounts of seating. Lots of old planters are used to add height and structure. Monstera clings to the imposing Royal palms. Lots of Fox tail palms too. It’s overwhelming, characterful, charming and as we walked alone – we were the only ones there – the owner played classical music from the wooden terrace above. It was a romantic garden so it makes sense they also hold weddings and events here.
A tropical storm was welcomed as we climbed up to meet Anthony Hunte – a very inspiring horticulturalist poured us a glass of his house rum whilst we had a charming conversation. A real treat.
Would we travel to Barbados again for this garden – yes, yes, yes.
We hope we’ve inspired you to go exploring too. If you’ve visited any of our recommended hangouts, we’d love to hear how you’ve got on next time you visit us.