The Warneford 200 Therapy Garden has been created by staff, service-users, patients and community groups, who have contributed to the design, build and on-going maintenance of the garden.
The garden is a walk-through space, inspired by aspects of the Warneford’s history over the past 200 years. The Reverend Dr Vaughan Thomas, Chairman of the first committee of management, was heavily involved in the design of the original grounds and gardens. He aimed to recreate the gardens of Versailles, with shaded walkways and ornamental features. Tree species have been selected to reflect his vision, with a series of tree planters creating a tree walkway. Hornbeam and Hawthorn, which were both mentioned in the historical archives, have been incorporated within the planters.
The garden also reflects the existence of a working farm and market garden at the Warneford. Seven large metal planters have been created using pig arcs, semicircular shelters designed for agricultural livestock. Each of the Warneford wards have contributed to the design and planting of the large planters, with each one creating a mini garden drawing on themes from the archives, enhanced and shaped by current service-users, who have added their favourite plants, or those that have particular significance to them.
Funding for the garden has been provided by the Gardens Trust, the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust and the Pye Trust, as well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Image: Photograph of the archway entrance to the garden (Tom/Laura to supply)
