BE INSPIRED…
Come rain or shine, Holden Clough is a place where visitors are inspired by the beautifully curated plants and the stunning collections of homeware, pots, glassware, plants and vintage memorabilia. Photography: Kirsten Platt
Time spent at Holden Clough Nursery is always magical no matter what the season, and as spring blossoms into summer, buds start to bloom and everything comes to life – there’s no better time to visit!
Novice and experienced gardeners will love the new developments that have evolved around this four-acre, family-run nursery, which is tucked away in the pretty hamlet of Holden.
From a new summer menu in the Shepherd’s Hut to an eclectic collection of vintage and contemporary collectables in the Garden Room, the Holden Clough experience is ultimately relaxing. Wander through the pretty shale pathways to the sound of the birds and bees, sit quietly on a bench with a warm drink and watch the world go by – or visit the stunning larch clad Potting Shed featuring everything you need for the gardening world including trugs and trowels, secateurs and watering cans, fertilisers and fungicides, and for junior gardeners there are children’s gardening tools, den building kits and activity sets to make outdoor play so much fun! The Potting Shed is also where it all begins, a place where you can watch thousands of young plants in their new beginnings.
This spring the original Frame Yard, which was built with the nursery in 1927, has come alive with a wonderful show of plants and, new to Holden Clough, are David Austin roses – rambling and shrub. Renowned for their beautiful, often many petalled, repeat flowering blooms and rich fragrances, David Austin roses grace prestigious gardens around the world, so if you want a very special addition to your garden, they make a fantastic focal point.
It is within the Frame Yard that your choice of plant is made easy as they are grouped by association so you can find a plant that will thrive. The inspirational plant collections are carefully curated to give you perfect planting combinations for beautiful borders from spring through to summer and beyond. Choose from cottage garden, wildlife friendly, shade loving and of course, the classic white garden collection. All the plants and shrubs at Holden Clough are of the highest quality and grown to withstand the unpredictable northern weather so you can be sure that you are getting only the very best when buying for your garden.
Moving on to Holden Clough’s Glasshouse which continues to showcase vintage furniture, beautiful mirrors and lighting from Europe, house plants and terrariums as well as more exotic orchids, lemon trees and cactus – the plant selection is second to none!
Also new and exclusive to Holden Clough are Pots and Pithoi, a manufacturer that produces a wonderful selection of Cretan terracotta pots available in different shapes and sizes. Stunningly handcrafted and frost resistant, the world-renowned terracotta pots will add beauty and form to any outside space.
The pots are capable of withstanding the harshest of UK winters due to the unique blend of clay and the way they are fired – at high temperature using crushed olive stones and grape seeds. The Pots and Pithoi brand is also a favourite with the Royals, Prince Charles is rumoured to have chosen the Pots and Pithoi Honeypot for the gardens of Highgrove.
Always mindful of safety, a visit to Holden Clough is a quiet oasis of calm – and in times when people are looking to create relaxing work spaces in their gardens, Croft Pods have a fully kitted out pod for viewing.
If you’re feeling peckish you can stroll through the nursery grounds to the Shepherd’s Hut where you will find a mouth-watering selection of hot and cold dishes and snacks. From buddha bowls to Scotch eggs and delicious stews, visitors can look forward to curry Mondays and pie Fridays – all equally delicious!
Looking to the future, Holden Clough is set to hold two spring markets Cherry and Tulip, when artisan producers will gather in the outdoor pergola that has been especially adapted so visitors feel safe in the charming new marketplace. Booking for the weekend markets is essential and this can be done via the Holden Clough website.
So, what are you waiting for? As spring unfolds into summer, visit Holden Clough for a wonderful outdoor experience – the beautifully curated collections of plants and memorabilia, will boost your senses and enliven your day.
WEEKEND MARKETS AT HOLDEN CLOUGH
CHERRY MARKET: 16th & 18th April 9am – 4.30pm
TULIP MARKET: 23rd, 24th & 25th April 9am – 4.30pm
Booking is essential via the website
Visit: holdencloughnursery.com
Holden Clough Nursery
Holden, Bolton-by-Bowland BB7 4PF
01200 447615
holdencloughnursery.com
Open seven days: 9am-5pm
