national museum of gardening
Starting modestly in 1998 originally housed in the old Carriage House, this display caused so much interest that it was decided to move it to a larger, purpose built building in 2001, when it also achieved National status.
Set in ten themed areas, this nostalgic display is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive collection of garden tools and memorabilia in the country. Exhibits date from the early 1800s and there are a vast collection of gardening tools, from the ever useful spade to the lawnmower, or the seed catalogue to rosettes won by the ordinary gardener. In the museum you will also see a large and extensive collection of garden related enamel signs, undoubtedly this collection is one of, if not the largest in the world!
A selection of 17 th century purpose made tools, often by the village blacksmith or local craftsman, are also shown. It’s amazing how much, or how little things have changed!
The Carriage House became the Soap Museum in late 2003, after the re-location of the National Museum of Gardening, which is situated alongside the Colin Gregory Toy Museum
