An English Summer Garden Fair Awaits

19th February, 2009

The Cottesbrooke Plant Finders’ Fair is again being held at the end of June (26th – 28th June) in this enviable setting in Northamptonshire.
This visually stunning event, which was held for the first time in 2008, brings together a collection of handpicked specialist nurseries, stunning garden accessories companies and catering. The setting, award-winning Cottesbrooke Hall, provides the backdrop to what Cleve West, writing in the Independent, said of the Fair last year “the spirit of Courson has arrived in the UK – resistance is futile”.

Highly acclaimed specialist nurseries to exhibit

The Fair showcases the best of smaller hero British nurseries including acclaimed plant specialists Derry Watkins of Special Plants, Cotswold Garden Flowers, Terence Baker of Botanic Garden Nursery, John Hoyland of Pioneer Nursery, Michael Loftus of Wooton’s of Wenhaston, Sonia Wright of Sonia Wright Plants, Chris Link of the Gobbett Nursery and Marina Christopher of Phoenix Perennial Plants, amongst many others on board for 2009. Individual specialist nurseries like Apple Revival, a company dedicated to old species, have also confirmed their attendance and will add a touch of historical interest to the event.

Building on a foundation of 34 exhibitors last year, the organisers plan to double the size of the Fair with a hand-picked and carefully thought out rollcall of companies. Garden accessories manufacturers such as Bradleys the Tannery, The Carrier Company and Marnie Moyle amongst many others will again be making the trip to Northamptonshire with their beautiful garden paraphernalia meaning this is the only place this summer to see such an esteemed collection of exhibitors. The event will also host a plant swap for visitors which will be taking place
over each of the three days.

The Fair will this year be run in association with BBC Gardens Illustrated.Editor, Juliet Roberts, visited the Fair last year and was “seduced by the quality and elegance of the Cottesbrooke Plant Finders’ Fair”. Organised and staged by TJM Associates, creators of the highly acclaimed Westonbirt International Festival of the Garden and currently working on the first Future Gardens Event (launch June 2009), every element of the Plant Finders’ Fair has been designed to stimulate the senses. Therese Lang from TJM said, “Visitors will be able to meet outstanding plantsmen who are not only passionate about their trade but who are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with others. Without these specialist nurseries, many of the plants on show would not be cultivated so it is a real treat for everyone attending to be able to buy the best quality specimens at good prices as well as browse a wide range of interesting and unusual garden
accessories.”

Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens – the most perfect setting

Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens has been in the Macdonald-Buchanan family for generations. With elements designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe and Dame Sylvia Crowe, the magnificent garden and parkland continues to evolve today.

The gardens at Cottesbrooke Hall have ongoing design input from one of the UK’s most celebrated garden designers, James Alexander-Sinclair. James adds “Dreamy countryside, manicured lawns, overflowing borders and the chance to buy plants from some of the best nurseries in the country. It is the perfect combination.”

Visitors’ tickets to the Fair will also give them the opportunity to wander
through the beautiful gardens of Cottesbrooke Hall, described by Clive Aslet in the Daily Telegraph as “the most dreamily picturesque landscape in England.”

www.cottesbrookehall.co.uk

Credit: Cottesbrooke

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