© Carymoor Environmental Trust

This beautiful sensory garden located at the rear of the centre features an array of plants and flowers to attract butterflies and bees.In the centre of the garden is a pond which is used for education visits. It is the first thing you will notice upon visiting the centre.

The garden was planted in the summer of 2001. The raised beds utilise the abundant recycled compost produced by Viridor Waste Services. As you can see the plants are thriving in it.

There have been a few plant losses to the local wildlife such as rabbits and badgers who have dug out and eaten some plants. It is useful to note the plants that have been left alone if you have similar wildlife in the garden.

In this view we are looking away from the centre towards the capped waste area. The capped area is being used for a number of research projects.

The planting mixes native and garden plants. In the foreground the pink flower is Valerian, a common wild plant found on dry chalk. Other plants in the garden include Buddleja 'Nanho Blue' [butterfly bush], Diascia, grasses, Lad's love, Iris germanica and sibirica cultivars, Stachys [lamb's ears], Melianthus major, Daphne for spring scent, thyme and rosemary.

The pond at the centre of the garden has a woven willow edging and helps define the overall design of the garden linking together the surrounding beds.

The pole in the background is part of the wind turbine which generates electricity for the centre. On the far side of the pole is another 'natural' pond and a reed bed that cleans 'grey water' from the centre's sinks and loos!

The Centre has just had a new wind turbine put up at the back of the centre. This 15kw Proven Energy turbine provides all the energy to the centre and we sell the excess back to the grid as green. The funding for the turbine came from Clear Skies, EDF Energy and a sponsered bike ride by Graham Jennings. If you would like more information on the turbine please contact Graham Jennings on 01963 350143 or visit the centre on one of our Open Mornings.