To find Mary Challis’s Garden, go through the alley between Billson the opticians and the Green Weigh shop in Sawston High Street. See where we are on Google Maps.
The garden, tended by volunteers, is a peaceful haven with beautiful mature trees, winding secret paths, and a pond with viewing platform – as well as plenty of benches, and a summerhouse to take shelter in!
The Challis Garden is a traditional cottage garden full of flowers, shrubs and perennials: a fantastic display in the summer but the rest of the garden is meadow, woodland, a winter walk and a wild area at the bottom. Mary Challis‘s hen houses are no longer in use but we have three beehives, cared for by our beekeeper. The vine-house has been refurbished and there is a huge crop of tiny black grapes each year. All this has been created by volunteers.
Each year, we run a series of Saturday workshops for children, fund-raising events in May and July and a Horticultural Show in the autumn. The garden is also used by Sawston youth groups, schools and art groups.
Volunteering
Volunteers are always welcome. To find out what needs doing, have a chat with Mike Redshaw on 834 511.
The Summer House was built in memory of Sue Reeve who played such a vital role along with her husband Ray in creating the beautiful Challis Garden.