Another successful photography workshop with Jason Ingram

Annie Guilfoyle once again organised a brilliant two-day masterclass, with award-winning, super talented photographer Jason Ingram. The beautiful spring backdrop provided endless inspiration, and Jason’s wealth of experience and knowledge made the event thoroughly enjoyable for everyone. It was fascinating to see the course progress over the two days and to see the stunning images produced.

Here are a selection of photos taken by students on the day – fabulous!

SOIL: The World at our Feet

SOIL: The World at Our Feet was a brilliantly informative exhibition about soil – the unsung superhero beneath our feet! Absolutely fascinating …

It brought together global artists and scientists to explore soil’s hidden wonders, which plays a crucial role in our planet’s health and its potential to shape a more sustainable future.

Did you know … there are more microbes in a single teaspoon than there are people on earth?

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is exceptionally botanically verdant, renowned for its lush rainforests, rich biodiversity, and world-famous tea and spice plantations.

We first went there 30 years ago, drawn by a holiday and a curiosity about plants, with the aim of bringing that knowledge back to our business which built greenery sets for film and television. The island’s extraordinary range of vegetation – from lowland rainforests to misty highland estates – made it an invaluable reference for our work.

We returned again in March, it was every bit as beautiful as we had remembered.

We stayed in a house designed and built by the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Now a small beachside hotel, it proved to be one of the loveliest places we have ever stayed: delicious food, a peaceful setting, and a truly relaxing atmosphere.

We followed this with a three-day safari in Yala National Park, which was both thrilling and spectacular. The experience began with a memorable moment when a full-grown elephant stood in the road, refusing to let vehicles pass until it had been offered a banana—an amusing start to an unforgettable adventure.

Open Garden Days 2026 – dates TBC

Our 2026 Open Garden dates will be released soon. We look forward sharing our garden and welcoming you next year in April, May and June.

Wander the walled garden, follow the rill, meander the meadows and watch over the lake, plenty of peace and space to enjoy and reflect.

Spot the busy bees and beautiful butterflies, and don’t forget there will be tea and delicious homemade cakes which are not to be missed!

Notes:

Limited tickets – pre-booking essential

Morning session 10 am to 12 noon
Afternoon session 2 pm to 4 pm

Parking is in the field, sorry no dogs allowed

Children to be supervised at all times. Hazards of deep water and dry canals.

After purchase you will receive an email confirmation. Please bring this with you as we will need the order number to confirm entry. Please have this ready at the entrance gate.

As Seen on TV!

We’re not people to boast, but seeing our beautiful gardens on Gardeners World on Friday 22nd November was, well, a moment. We’ve watched the programme for decades, like many of us, of course. Over the last 14 years of such hard work, in the mud, digging out brambles, planting, replanting, changing, and building we kept hold of our vision of what Caisson Gardens could be. Seeing the incredible drone footage, and listening to Toby Buckland understand and explain our ethos was particularly emotional.

“What a special place Caisson is, a natural paradise, it truly is beautiful”

Toby Buckland, Gardeners’ World

If you missed it, catch up on BBC iPlayer here

A Summer Visit to The Botanical Gardens in Palermo, Sicily

Full holiday mode!

No holiday is complete without a visit to botanical gardens and this summer, Phil and I had the pleasure of visiting the Botanical Gardens in Palermo, Sicily—a destination that has long been on our list. As the co-creators of Caisson Gardens, we’re always looking for new inspiration to share with our visitors, and the gardens in Palermo, especially their extraordinary Herbarium, did not disappoint.

For those who don’t know, Phil and I spent many years running a set design company, creating lush, green environments for the film industry. That chapter of our lives instilled in us a deep appreciation for how plants and design work hand in hand to tell a story. Now, with Caisson Gardens, we get to channel that passion into a living, breathing space open for everyone to enjoy.

From incredible Ficus trees to huge cacti, and tranquil lotus ponds to exquisite orchids, the gardens were a delight.

Herbarium Mediterraneum Panormitanum was beautiful and particularly fascinating.

They look like books don’t they? In fact, they are samples of different hardwoods cleverly cut and labelled to resemble them.

It’s a shame we couldn’t bring these charmers home with us!

Scribehound: A Daily Digital Haven for Garden Lovers

Launched under the guidance of horticultural visionaries Sue Biggs CBE, Director General of the RHS, and celebrated garden designer James Alexander-Sinclair, Scribehound Gardening is a platform that brings together thirty of the very best writers in the gardening world. This isn’t your average blog or magazine; it’s a fresh, community-centred space where talented, award-winning writers explore their passion for gardens and gardening in daily articles, designed to be read or listened to, and narrated by the authors themselves.

The impressive lineup of writers includes Gardeners’ World presenters Adam Frost and Advolly Richmond, Lia Leendertz creator of The Almanac, Alan Titchmarsh who needs no introduction, and our friend Annie Guilfoyle, who wrote a wonderful article about Caisson Gardens in Gardens Illustrated this summer.

And, in a nod to the social aspect of gardening, readers will see writers commenting on one another’s work, sparking discussions and creating a real sense of community. Subscribers are welcomed into this “gang,” where shared passion keeps everyone on their toes and drives creativity forward.
For those passionate about gardening, Scribehound.com offers a daily ten-minute interlude—a calm escape to indulge, connect, and share in the wonders of the gardening world.

Find out What Scribehound Gardening is, and what it means for gardeners and gardening writers.

If you’re still wondering if it’s for you, maybe sign up by 19 December, when Annie Guilfoyle will be writing about Caisson Gardens!

Of course, if you prefer to listen, while your hands are in the soil, Listen in as figureheads Sue Biggs and James Alexander-Sinclair discuss what you can expect from Scribehound Gardening, and what it all means for the cultural landscape of horticulture.

Welcome Our New Shetland Sheep!

We’re excited to introduce a new addition to the Caisson Garden family—a small flock of purebred Shetland sheep! After years of borrowing sheep from local farmers, we decided it was time to raise a hardy, heritage flock of our own, and the Shetland sheep, with their small size, resilience, and excellent health, were the perfect fit. So welcome to Toffee Apple, Ravishing, Relish, Regina, Boleyn, Hughina, and Meridien

Why Shetland Sheep? Originating from the rugged Shetland Islands, these sheep are renowned for their toughness. They’re a “primitive” or landrace breed, meaning they’ve stayed close to their natural state without extensive modern breeding, unlike many commercial sheep breeds. They’ve adapted to thrive in wild, challenging environments, from coastal hillsides to open meadows.

Our Sheep and Wildflower Meadows This winter, the Shetland’s will graze in our paddocks. Their grazing plays a key role in maintaining and rejuvenating our wildflower meadows, helping to control grass and encourage the diversity of wildflowers. This is crucial for both the health of our land and local wildlife.

Inspiration at Birch Farm with Joshua Sparkes

This September, we visited Birch Farm in Woolsery, Devon and spent time with Joshua Sparkes, the visionary head gardener who has transformed the 15-acre market garden into an innovative, thriving ecosystem. His approach to gardening has redefined traditional practices, integrating principles from agroforestry, Korean Natural Farming, and biodynamic systems to nurture a balanced and resilient landscape.

Since we came to Caisson 15 years ago, we have been practising regenerative gardening. We do not use chemicals and artificial fertilisers, make our own compost, and manage our fields to create wildflower meadows and woodlands to promote natural regeneration and habitat quality. After seeing Birch Farm’s success, we’re inspired to bring more of Joshua’s methods to Caisson Gardens.

Joshua’s philosophy centres on creating a low-input, low-maintenance environment that prioritises natural ecosystems and biodiversity. His methods combine ideas from Japanese natural farming, permaculture, and regenerative agriculture to make the most of the resources on his land. Joshua’s ability to blend these approaches to promote a self-sustaining landscape struck a chord with us. We sent our gardener, Tristan, to one of Joshua’s courses, and he returned eager to put these ideas into practice at Caisson Gardens.

Bringing Natural Farming Techniques to Caisson Gardens

One of the most exciting aspects we’ll be introducing is a natural, plant-based system inspired by Korean Natural Farming. This method allows us to create our own plant-based inoculants by gathering resources directly from our garden. These inoculants, when applied as sprays, root drenches, or seed soaks, will provide our crops with essential nutrients without the need for synthetic fertilizers or chemical sprays. In the process, we’re also boosting the health of our soil, supporting a rich, natural ecosystem right here at Caisson Gardens.

We’re also experimenting with homemade ferments and tinctures that support soil and plant health. These solutions, made from local plant samples, help to introduce beneficial bacteria, fungi, and yeasts back into the soil, improving its resilience and fertility.

Supporting Biodiversity with Beetle-Friendly Habitats

Experimenting with Agroforestry

Following Joshua’s lead, we’re also exploring ways to integrate more agroforestry—a system where edible crops are grown among trees and shrubs—into Caisson Gardens. This low-maintenance, sustainable approach will allow us to expand the variety of crops we grow while enriching the garden’s natural biodiversity.

Each of these changes brings Caisson Gardens even closer to becoming a regenerative, biodiverse environment. We’re excited to explore these methods and to share our progress as we adopt more of Joshua’s innovative approaches. 

Find out more about The Collective at Woolsery

New Creative Art Workshops at Caisson Gardens Studio

We have an exciting lineup of creative art workshops for Autumn and Winter 2024. To guarantee ample space and personalised attention for each participant, places are limited. No prior experience is necessary (we believe everyone has artistic talent!), and we supply all the materials you’ll require.

We invite all aspiring and experienced artists to embark on a creative journey with us, where the beauty of nature and botanical wonders serve as our inspiration.

See all Autumn/Winter Workshops