Tucked away within the grounds of High Leigh, the Kitchen Garden is filled with more than first meets the eye.
What was once the original Kitchen Garden of the Barclay family estate has been brought back to life as a flourishing space where fresh produce is grown for our chefs, wildlife is welcomed, and guests can pause and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
Best of all, the Kitchen Garden is open for all our guests to explore. So, next time you stay at High Leigh, why not step inside and discover some of its hidden treasures for yourself?
What is growing in the Kitchen Garden?
From familiar favourites to a few unexpected additions, an impressive variety of fruit and vegetables is now growing across the garden.
This includes five varieties of cucumber, four varieties of tomato, four varieties of aubergine, corn on the cob, mini corn, peas, runner beans, peppers, spring onions, and three varieties of radish.
Look a little closer, and you may also find golden beetroot, red and white beetroot, pumpkins, rhubarb, pears, plums, and even watermelons.
Among the greatest successes have been the round yellow courgettes, which have produced particularly well. The watermelons have provided one of the biggest surprises, proving that the Kitchen Garden still has plenty of unexpected delights waiting to be discovered.
Everything grown this year began as a seed before being carefully potted on and hardened off. This has not always been straightforward, particularly when temperatures inside the greenhouse have reached as high as 50°C without an electrical supply to help regulate them. Nevertheless, the garden has continued to thrive.
More than meets the eye
One of the most fascinating parts of the garden is the tomato bed.
Six wigwams support 18 indeterminate tomato plants, alongside a further six determinate plants. Beneath them grows a colourful mixture of chicory, radicchio, Italian alpine leaves, lettuces from Naples, and four varieties of basil.
This is all part of a technique known as companion planting, where different plants are grown together to help one another flourish. Marigolds and nasturtiums have also been planted throughout the beds, providing natural protection while adding further bursts of colour.
It means that what may appear to be a simple bed of tomatoes is, in fact, a thriving community of plants working together.
From the garden to our kitchens
As produce becomes ready to harvest, our chefs are told what they can expect in the coming weeks. The freshly picked ingredients are then handed over to the kitchen team, where they can be incorporated into the food served to our guests.
It is a simple but rewarding connection between the garden and the dining table, bringing some of High Leigh’s freshest seasonal produce into the meals enjoyed during conferences.
A place to pause and learn
The Kitchen Garden is not only a productive space. With its Victorian-style greenhouse, colourful planting, and peaceful pond, still home to its resident fish, it is also a lovely place to slow down between sessions.
Looking ahead, the team plans to build on everything learned so far, while developing the garden into an educational hub where guests can discover more about growing food, companion planting, and caring for creation.
Whether you are a keen gardener, curious about where your food comes from, or simply looking for a quiet corner of the grounds to enjoy, the Kitchen Garden is well worth seeking out during your next visit.
If you have not yet booked your next conference or retreat at High Leigh, contact our friendly team on 0300 111 4444 to begin planning your stay, and remember to leave a little time to explore the garden!
