College Break Ground on World’s Largest Show Garden

Capel Manor College has partnered with The Game Fair to design and create specialist gardens that will span over an acre

London’s leading land-based education provider, Capel Manor College has partnered with The Game Fair to design and create specialist gardens that will span over an acre. A show garden of this scale has never been attempted before but with the College’s outstanding reputation for garden design, innovation and young talent, The Game Fair Gardens are highly anticipated.

Designed and built by Capel Manor College’s RHS Gold medallists, The Gardens will create an immersive and interactive experience, telling the story of the countryside, estates, country gardens, traditional practices and innovations through themed gardens.

Producing the largest show garden that the world has ever seen is a mammoth undertaking, and the College’s apprentices, students and staff have been hard at work since the end of May to bring their ambitious designs to life.

With each area designed by a different College student or apprentice, The Game Fair Gardens will be divided into different sections that not only represent the diversity and possibilities within the countryside, but that also showcase Capel Manor College’s areas of expertise in numerous courses for those interested in animals, nature and the environment.

Visitors can expect to see: a herbaceous border complete with sculptures, a potager garden full of fruit and vegetables, a floristry and rose border with the finest British flowers, prairie planting that promotes sustainability for green spaces in and outside of cities, a leather workshop demonstrating the making of handcrafted saddles, bridles and shoes, and an arboriculture and countryside management area displaying the skills required for hedge laying, hurdle fencing and woodland conservation.

The Game Fair is a prestigious event that celebrates British country life and boasts a comprehensive itinerary for the whole family. Lord and Lady Salisbury’s Hatfield House Estate will play host to The Game Fair from 26 – 28 July 2019.

Lady Salisbury, Patron of the College commented: “It is wonderful that this year The Game Fair is encouraging our apprentices and students to use their skills and knowledge to create a spectacular garden at Hatfield. I know this RHS award-winning team will provide inspiration to gardeners and will show with a good design, what can be grown. Seeing what people can do is always a pleasure as well as providing a vital contribution to our green open spaces.”

Malcolm Goodwin, Principal at Capel Manor College added: “We are very excited to be bringing a substantial display of horticulture and environmental skills to The Game Fair at Hatfield House to showcase the many talents of our students and staff. The College provides fantastic opportunities for young people and career changers alike; this exhibit will show how people can have wonderful careers by learning how to create beautiful gardens, produce food from the land and look after the countryside, trees and wildlife to create a healthier, more attractive, productive and accessible environment for everyone”.