HISTORY OF COTESBACH GARDENS

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Our organic vegetable garden goes back to the time of Rector John Fanshawe who had the walls built in the mid-18th Century to enclose and shelter his new garden. 

In Victorian times it grew into an increasingly productive kitchen garden and orchard, feeding successive generations of Marriotts and residents of the estate until after WW1.

In the early 1950s it was run as a market garden, producing tomatoes in particular when it was still possible to compete price-wise with the imported Dutch ones.Convenient supermarkets, refrigeration and easy car transport meant that people no longer relied on a local source of fresh produce.  Only more recently are the side effects of this production and consumption model becoming felt, globally, in terms of food security, soil depletion and climate change. 

Over the last 25 years we have cultivated the garden and realised the huge benefits of growing our own local food, in terms of quality, seasonal awareness and well-being.  Phil Sumption, HDRA organic research professional converted the garden to an organic management system and supplied Naturally Good Food in the Stable Yard (all in his ‘spare time'!), and rebuilt a reputation for Cotesbach Gardens which we seek to continue, ever expanding the range of produce and opportunities on offer. 

Tours of the farm and garden can be made by arrangement.  Please contact us for more details.

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