Capel Manor to attempt world’s largest show garden

Capel Manor College are hoping to create the installation of the largest show garden ever attempted at The Game Fair, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, in July.

The garden will feature at Lord and Lady Salisbury’s estate where the three-day event is expected to attract over 120,000 visitors. Capel Manor College is a leading educational provider for those interested in plants, animals, flowers, trees and the environment, offering apprenticeships in London for those looking to work and contribute to the rural economy.

The show garden will be designed by Capel Manor’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gold medallists and will create an immersive and interactive experience, telling the story of the countryside, estates, country gardens, traditional practices and innovations through a number of themed gardens. (See diagram left).

Visitors to the fair can expect kitchen gardens, traditional crafts, art, sculpture and superb design at Hatfield House, which already has an international reputation among gardening enthusiasts.

Game Fair Managing Director, James Gower, explained that a show garden on this scale has never been attempted before, however, given the College’s outstanding reputation for garden design, innovation and young talent, Capel Manor is perfectly placed to deliver it at Hatfield House: “This ambitious display offers something different and will be a huge draw for our visitors coming to The Game Fair this year,” he said.

Lady Salisbury, who is Patron of Capel Manor College, is delighted that the Fair will be encouraging apprentices and students to use their skills and knowledge to create a spectacular garden: “As patron of the college, specialising in land-based subjects across London, 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,” she said.

The Principal at Capel Manor College, Malcolm Goodwin, points out that everyone is very excited to be bringing this substantial display of horticulture and environmental skills to Hatfield House to showcase the many talents 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,” Malcolm added.

The three-day event takes place at Hatfield House 26th to 28th July 2019. Tickets are now available online, for further information please visit: www.thegamefair.org