Knighton Park Sensory Garden – A History
Tucked away in a secluded corner of Knighton Park, next to the Council Parks Works Depot, the Sensory Garden is a much visited oasis of quiet. It is now a well-established area which appears to have always been there, but this is not the case.
Beginnings
Knighton Park was established in the early 1950s and what is now the Sensory Garden, was a reserve where young trees were planted. Those which were retained have now grown into majestic specimens, and a yew hedge marking the boundary is now very high. The area became simply grassed, but in 2005 was allocated to volunteers. The Knighton Park Garden Club was formed, and under the guidance of Mike Eaton, work began to transform it into a space to stimulate the five senses, and to encourage all people to develop an interest in gardening.
Establishing the Garden
Transforming the space was a mammoth task for the members of the club, and it was decided to create a garden which could be enjoyed by disabled and non-disabled people, and which especially appealed to the senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and sound. The first task was to design a layout, and proposed paths were marked out using a lawnmower.
These meandered through the space, leading to a variety of areas. The paths were laid with block paving by the clients of the Probation Service under the direction Adam Harris Paving Company. Lafarge Aggregates donated sand and aggregate, while Wilson and Butler provided the paving.
Next came the placing of specific areas. The central section, with reclaimed seating was flanked by a curving path over which an arbour was constructed.
Under the mature trees, a shaded rockery was created using boulders of Westmoreland limestone, rescued from a demolition elsewhere in the city.
A cobbled seating area used stones from Victoria Park, while a sheltered seating area was covered by willow cuttings from Knighton Park.
After the hard landscaping was complete, planting could begin. £7,000 was obtained in sponsorship and grants, and plants were donated by Derry’s Nurseries and Peter Beak’s roses. Items were chosen, for their appeal to the senses :-
SIGHT Contrast in colours and form, in flowers, berries and seed heads, e.g. bulbs, clematis, roses, and trumpet vine.
SOUND The rustling of leaves, grasses, bamboo and mature trees.
TOUCH Texture and shape, e.g. flowers, leaves, seed heads and herbs.
SMELL Blossoms and leaf oils, e.g. witch hazel, honeysuckle and winter box.
TASTE Apples, plums, grapes, vegetables, figs and soft fruit.
Continuing improvements
The Sensory Garden has matured and evolved since 2005. As in any garden, some plants are lost due to age, or the ravages of weather, or unfortunately, theft and vandalism. Plants have been replaced and the garden periodically revised with new features being added - many of which enhanced the garden’s ‘green’ credentials. Notable Projects include:
2005-2010 -
A raised bed in the central area designed for multi disability access. This is currently planted with alpines.
Armillary sphere – a sundial mounted on a marble arch from Welford Road Cemetary.
Serpentine Arch planted with old Leicestershire apple varieties.
2010 - Compostable toilet.
2011-2012 - Dry river bed with bridge.
2012 - Mosaic projects, including a sign above the gate.
2013 - Raised beds, (now renovated complete with bee posts) used to grow soft fruit and vegetables.
2014 - Bug Hotel. Bottle greenhouse, with drainage to water butts.
2015 - Area near cabin paved with gravel. Recycled Victorian style benches and planters were also added.
2015 - Sculpture in the form of stylised cow parsley.
By 2019, the garden was thriving, and welcomed visitors throughout the year, either by opening as usual on weekdays, or at special events such as ‘Sensory Sundays’ in the summer months. Group visits took place, for example, by Ashfield School, local garden clubs and the U3A. The garden was also accepted for opening as part of the RHS Open Gardens Scheme. The Garden regularly achieved ‘Outstanding’ in the RHS ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ scheme. One unusual event was its use as the setting for a couple’s renewal of their wedding vows.
The Garden today
During Covid, the garden was closed. On reopening, an immense amount of work was required to restore the garden after two years of neglect. Knighton Park Garden Club now has, on average, 7 volunteers who are able to attend and work on the garden on a Monday afternoon. Some are experts, but others are beginners or do jobs to maintain the infrastructure. Everyone’s contribution is equally important and valued.
These volunteers also work to provide the garden’s only funding by opening the garden on advanced dates, when refreshments and plant sales are available. A regular opening over Christmas with the support of the Friends of Knighton Park, has also taken place in the last few years and has boosted the visibility of the Garden to the public.
We hope you will continue to support the Sensory Garden, by visiting, or even joining our volunteers. But most importantly, we hope you will enjoy the garden which has been created by Knighton Park Gardening Club.