GET CRAFTY
A beautifully isolated rural garden nursery and café is proving to be a vibrant destination for those who love the countryside and crafts! Photography: Kirsten Platt
Celebrating her first spring and summer since overseeing a spectacular renovation project, garden expert Nikki Brown is now welcoming visitors from far and wide to her nursery, reclamation and salvage centre.
Located in the beautiful Ribble Valley on the edge of the Bowland Forest, Be a Garden Maker is a tranquil haven where visitors can browse the stock of unusual plants and shrubs, all selected for their hardy Northern nature as well as the ever-increasing hosta collections.
What was formerly a tarpaulin-covered area has now been transformed and replaced with a beautiful building that houses the garden centre’s Nectar café that features a selection of art and craftwork locally produced within a 10-mile radius.
Reflecting her interest in arts and crafts, Nikki runs a comprehensive programme of luxury courses. From watercolour, felting, wire-sculpting and stone-carving to willow weaving and ceramics, artisan craftsmen and experienced artists offer visitors expert guidance to those on day-long courses that include lunch, refreshments and cakes.
The courses are for beginners who want to learn a new skill as well as those who may be familiar with a particular craft and want to learn more.
Children are also welcome too at Be a Garden Maker where there will be cress planting for little ones in May. June will see the creation of a bee hotel and in August there will be biscuit decorating.
With its flag floors and log burning stoves, the café is a delightful space where diners can enjoy the views overlooking the gardens, plants and unusual stone garden antiquities.
Chef Andrew Corbridge heads up the kitchen producing delicious British classics. A pastry chef by trade, he is famed for his home made cakes, scones and mouth-watering pies! The new summer menu will feature mezze platters and sharing plates and don’t forget the Sunday roast and the afternoon teas for which the Nectar café is renowned!
Welcoming cyclists, walkers and group visits, Be a Garden Maker has the added attraction of the Coars Farm Reclamation and Salvage Centre. The ever-changing stock in the barns includes reclaimed old stone paving and ornamental stone objects along with meticulously renovated farming and industrial curiosities.
Also on site is a holiday cottage that sleeps up to 12 – so if you are planning a walking or cycling holiday taking in the sights of the Forest of Bowland and the surrounding area, this is the perfect location!
Be a Garden Maker is easily located via sat nav which will take you on a short meandering drive through some of the region’s most stunning countryside.
For more information about arts and crafts courses at Be a Garden Maker go to: www.beagardenmaker.co.uk
Be a Garden Maker
Coars Farm, Wigglesworth
Skipton BD23 4SN
01729 840848
hello@beagardenmaker.co.uk
www.beagardenmaker.co.uk
