Marlborough Town Council
The gardens are open to the public from 9.00am until dusk all year round.
Tucked away between Barn Street and Kelham Gardens, pedestrian access to the gardens from Barn Street should be via the gated path (not the larger vehicle entrance which is private property) or from Kelham Gardens.
In the centre of the grounds is a lovely lawn surrounded by gardens, perfect for a family picnic where you can admire a natural pond which is a wonderful wildlife habitat. The impressive tree is a Sequoia - more commonly known as a Giant Redwood. In autumn, please help yourself to fruit from the Community Orchard trees.
There is historical significance to the Wye Gardens too. Stone pillars, which look strangely out of place in the gardens, are the original pillars from the 19th Century Town Hall rescued from the demolition of the building.
Another interesting ruin is the stone and flint archway but whether this is genuinely historic, or a modern folly isn’t yet determined.
Please get in touch if you'd like to hire the garden for an event.
PLAY AREA
In February 2023 the Town Council closed the toddlers play area as the equipment had reached the end of its life.
Councillors took the opportunity to redesign the area to be more in keeping with the rest of Wye House Gardens but still provide a toddler-friendly safe space. Most of the work will be carried out by the Town Council's Grounds Team, and the majority of the cost will be covered by CIL funding.
25 March 2024: Open in time for the Easter holidays
Mayor of Marlborough, Councillor Nicholas Fogg MBE was joined by residents, Councillors, the Town Clerk and staff to open a new toddlers’ play area just in time for the Easter holidays.
The play area replaced one that had reached the end of its life at Kelham Gardens, backing on to Wye House Gardens.
It is the only play area in the Town Council’s estate that has been designed exclusively for the very young. There is wooden play equipment to climb and explore, a bouncy safety surface, space to run around, smart new railings to match those nearby, five benches and a number of planters. The play area adjoins Wye House Gardens and with its spring-fed pond, beautiful planting and tranquil setting, the area provides a wonderful amenity for the young and not so young alike.
The Mayor read out a long list of thanks before planting the final shrub and cutting the ribbon to declare the new facility open.
Joshie (almost 3!) was delighted to be the first ‘customer’, quickly exploring and finding everything to his satisfaction.
The Mayor gave a special mention to thank local resident Philip Ridge for such a great job helping with communications between the Town Council and our neighbours in Kelham Gardens as the work has progressed.
The Town Council is inviting local pre-school, play or community groups to adopt a planter to allow children to learn about growing and tending to plants. This could be to grow whatever they choose: fruit and vegetables, flowers, herbs or plants to attract wildlife. Please contact us if you'd like more information.
We hope the play area will be a hit with our youngest residents and visitors and look forward to seeing the results of their green-fingered plans.
Rather than using a full contractor team, the Town Council’s in-house Grounds team took the lead on the project from clearing and levelling the site to building the benches and planters. Grounds Manager Nigel Weatherly and Foreman Jason Walker took the lead with the rest of the Grounds Team very much involved. At the office, Deputy Town Clerk Clare Harris and Civic and Cemetery Administrator Andrea Millar were involved with the design and product research, with Office Manager Sue Fry looking after the finances and Corporate Services Officer Dawn Whitehall behind the lens. The Amenities & Open Spaces Committee and Finance & Policy Committee approved the plans, costs and fully supported the in-house approach to the project.
Our Mayor, Councillor Nicholas Fogg, cuts the ribbon
Young Joshie puts the equipment through its paces
The play area is located at the rear of Wye House Gardens and the entrance is from Kelham Gardens. Location at what3words https://w3w.co/camps.finalists.flown
September 2023: we start to clear the ground.
In 2015 and 2016 Wye House Gardens was awarded with a Pride in Parks Award by South West in Bloom.
Please be aware that all housing surrounding Wye gardens is private property and should be treated respectfully (only the gardens, play area and pond are public amenity). Consequently, we ask that visitors follow some polite requests:
Bicycles should not be ridden on the permissive paths through the gardens.
No dogs or ball games permitted. These are public gardens and must be treated with respect.
Please contact us if you'd like to discuss holding an event here.
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