成人快手

Whilst many who visit Kent for its famous public gardens in the middle of Kent such as Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, few realise they exist on the coast as well. The Salutation Gardens in the east coast town of Sandwich provides three and a half acres of idyllic greenery.

A tribute to Guy Fawkes perhaps?

Supporting the Sandwich Festival

To coincide with the Sandwich Festival from the 18th-25th August, The Salutation Gardens are holding a 鈥榣iving showcase鈥� of artwork. This work varies from stoneware clay pieces such as 鈥楶umpkin One鈥� by Jane Richardson and conceptual artwork made of 鈥榝ound materials鈥� by sculptors Liz Howe and Juliet Simpson who both use recycled materials in their work.

A contrast of old and new

Head gardener Steve Edney led the process of restoring the garden, trying to remain faithful to the original garden plans, (as designed by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll who were also responsible for the Salutation house itself.) Steve also wanted to bring a fresh, new feeling to the landscape.

鈥淚鈥檓 trying to marry the old and the new together. I don鈥檛 want it to be one of those gardens that is a complete step back in time, but at the same time I want to be true to the ideas and the ethos of Gertrude Jekyll, who was believed to have done the original planting here.鈥�

Night Black Space by Stephanie Rawkins

鈥淲e鈥檙e just artists with a garden. We had a blank canvas here to work from; but its soil. That鈥檚 why I like the idea of art pieces being dotted around the garden, it adds a new dimension. It鈥檚 extra things for people to see.鈥�

Local talent

One featured artist is Emily Stone, a local sculptor who trained at Kent鈥檚 University College of the Creative Arts, formerly known as the Kent Institute of Art and Design (KIAD.) She exhibits all year round at the gardens and has a number of distinct copper based pieces on display including a metal horse and an intimidating looking crocodile.

Although not certified with 鈥榦rganic status鈥� yet, the gardens follow a strict organic policy and do not use insecticides or risky chemicals. This environmentally kind outlook is reflected in the water features of Faversham-based Frances Beaumont whose water features are available with solar panels to power the flow of the water.

High hopes for the future

The house and gardens are owned by Dominic and Stephanie Parker who hope that this year鈥檚 sculpture exhibition will become an annual feature of the Sandwich festival.

鈥淭he Festival aims to provide something for all the family and we hope that the combination of our beautiful gardens and these amazing varied works of art will stimulate visitors鈥� senses and imaginations.鈥�

The Salutation Gardens are open daily, from 10am until 6pm throughout the Sandwich Festival.