Etchingham Station

At first glance, Etchingham Railway Station in East Sussex, looks no different from any other country station. However, an exciting and innovative project, managed by the local community, has enabled the creation of the ‘Bistro at the Station’ and the revival of the Station Master’s garden.
Housed within the walls of what was once the Station Master’s house, the stylish new bistro is attracting railway commuters, travellers and locals alike. The adjoining garden created by English Heritage Gardens incorporates a large stone seating area, formal yew hedging, herbaceous borders and colour-matched resin bonded pathways that blend effortlessly with the traditional sandstone building.
Passionate gardeners and brothers-in-law, Peter Baldock and Tom Marsh, from the award winning garden design partnership – English Heritage Gardens had designed the station garden with a view to replicating the style of formal Yew hedging used typically in local gardens - Sissinghurst Castle and Great Dixter in Northiam. The dark foliage of the yew creates a perfect backdrop for the flower borders illuminating the herbaceous foliage and flower whilst also offering seclusion.
The site where the garden now sits, was previously an unkempt wasteland of weeds and grass, but now the local community can enjoy a coffee set in a peaceful enclosed space overlooking the beautiful 14th Century Parish Church and lowland Willow plantation that is occasionally harvested by Greys to make their world renowned cricket bats. Furthermore, profits from the bistro will be channelled back into Etchingham.
Many of the gardens designed by English Heritage Gardens keep alive the distinctive styles developed by Victorian garden architects but with an eye to modern day living. Why not come and see English Heritages Gardens’ latest creation whilst enjoying a brew of your choice.
Throughout this project English Heritage Gardens have been helped by Oakover Nurseries (Ashford), Gardenscape Direct (Northiam) & Aviva Stone (Hooe).

www.englishheritagegardens.co.uk
Tel: 01580 861294
Email: info@englishheritagegardens.co.uk

Peter Baldock – RHS trained, Head Gardener Pashley Manor Gardens 1992 – 2002, Pashley Manor Garden of the Year 1999. (HHA)
Tom Marsh – Architectural Illustrator, Garden Designer Silver Medal Winner RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2008, BA Hons