We're delighted to announce that our summer productions are now confirmed, celebrating some of the most enduring works in English literature. Together, these productions promise a season of theatrical richness and variety, and we look forward to welcoming audiences to share in this memorable summer at Holme. Romeo & Juliet at Holme for Gardens ​ Sunday, July 19, 2026 ​ 6:00pm-9:30pm ​ The Amphitheatre, Holme for Gardens, Wareham, BH20 6AQ ​ To secure your tickets, click this link A family feud divides the community! Violence stalks the streets. Who can see beyond the hate and dare to follow their heart? A pair of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet! Oddsocks return with their new take on this well-loved classic, finding laughs and pathos in the most dramatic of tragedies. Will Romeo pull himself together to escape with Juliet? Will the Nurse think of a better plan than the Friar? Will the audience help the lovers elope? All will be revealed as Oddsocks create uplifting comedy from the depths of despair in a show that’s the perfect antidote to prejudice. Event Details Doors Open at 6:00PM Starts at 7:00PM The Pickwick Papers at Holme For Gardens ​ Saturday, July 25, 2026 ​ 6:30pm-10:00pm ​ To secure your tickets, click this link A farce for all the family! A Rainorshine production, join the lovable Mr. Pickwick and his eccentric band of companions as they bumble their way on a rollicking journey through confusing courtships, courtroom shenanigans, questionable duels, and carriage rides gone terribly wrong. Expect fast-paced wit, multi-rolling mayhem, with mischief a‘plenty from a cast of larger-than- life characters in this new and hilarious adaptation of Dickens’ raucous classic. Dickens has never been this delightfully unpredictable! Pack your picnic, secure your seat and prepare for an uproarious adventure with The Pickwick Society—where the only certainty is a thoroughly good time will be had by all! Event Details Box office - no booking fee - 0330 660 0541 (10.30am - 7pm) Doors Open at 6:30PM From 7:30PM to 10:00PM Folksy presents A Midsummer Night's Dream ​ Sunday, August 9, 2026 ​ 6:00pm-9:30pm ​ The Amphitheatre, Holme for Gardens, Wareham, BH20 6AQ ​ To secure your tickets, click this link Love, laughter, and a little bit of lunacy — enter a world where fairies meddle, lovers quarrel, and magic runs wild! This summer, join us for a breathtaking open-air performance of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the heart of an enchanted forest, four young lovers flee the constraints of society and stumble into a realm ruled by mischievous fairies, feuding royalty, and a troupe of would-be actors with more enthusiasm than talent. What follows is a wild night of mistaken identities, magical transformations, and love gone deliciously wrong — enjoy Shakespeare’s dazzling verse and Folksy’s twist of live music, audience interaction and impressive multi-rolling! Event starts at 7:00pm Doors open from 6:00pm

We're delighted to host Wild Edge Sculptures here at Holme for the coming season. keep your eyes out for these elegant, majestic statues placed thoughtfully around the gardens. "The journey behind Wild Edge Sculptures has always been rooted in the transformative power of making. Founded by artist Ian, our story began at a deeply personal crossroads, when his grandfather passed away and left him a cherished box of tools. Rather than letting his heritage lie dormant, Ian honoured it by crafting those very tools into a commemorative sculpture, a horse head. This first act of creation marked the origin of a path defined by memory, meticulous craftsmanship, and enduring purpose. This initial spark ignited a deeper artistic exploration. Ian began constructing intricate robots and hand-crafted Transformer characters from salvaged metal, blending a childhood fascination with movement and a designer’s eye for form. What began as a creative hobby evolved into a profound dialogue with metal itself. Through relentless hands-on experimentation, his background in design engineering seamlessly merged with an emerging artistic vision, refining raw, dynamic scrap art into the elegant, fluid sculptures that define the Wild Edge aesthetic today. That evolution from personal tribute to recognised artistry led to features on platforms like the Discovery Channel's  Scrap Kings . Today, this foundational story of transformation continues to guide every commission. We believe the most powerful art emerges where technical precision meets emotional resonance, transforming reclaimed materials and personal histories into timeless sculptural statements. Each piece Ian creates carries forward that original ethos: to honour legacy, capture dynamic spirit, and create with purposeful beauty."

We have over 150 apple trees located in the Orchard of our 15-acre gardens here at Holme, and for the past few years, we've toyed with the idea of putting all the delicious apples to good use. Well, it was this year that we finally decided to branch out and start making our very holme Holme grown apple juice, made exclusively from apples grown in the Orchard. Thanks to the help of Goren Farm (located near Honiton), we were able to head down there one sunny October day and managed to produce nearly 500 bottles of apple juice (beating their daily record along the way). Holme apple juice is now available to purchase in the Orchard Cafe, by the glass or by the bottle. If you're interested in what else Goren Farm has to offer, why not look them up? https://www.goren.co.uk/

Saturday 7 September, 12:00 – 17:00 Studland, Morval – designed by Simon Goldsack The National Garden Scheme opens up over 3,500 private gardens across the UK, and we’re delighted to be taking part. Come and enjoy this special garden space for a good cause — all proceeds go to NGS charities. Entry: £8 | Children go free | Season ticket: £25

We’re thrilled to announce that the Wareham Croquet Club will now be playing regularly at Holme for Gardens, bringing a touch of traditional English sport to our beautiful Events Lawn. The club will be setting up every Tuesday and Thursday, offering visitors the chance to watch. Whether you’re already a fan of the sport or just curious to see what it’s all about, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience croquet up close.  The Wareham Croquet Club is known for its welcoming spirit, and members are always happy to chat and explain the rules. They welcome new members, so why not have a go? With the backdrop of the gardens, it’s an ideal way to spend a peaceful morning (although the competition can be fierce!), and then stop for a sociable coffee or lunch in the Orchard cafe after.

Holme is full of fantastic wildlife — from fabulous birds to rare insects. We recently spotted Anthophora retusa , a scarce mining bee that’s nationally rare. Caught a brilliant moment of a larva building its cocoon — a peek into the secret life of the garden. Plus a Golden-ringed dragonfly , one of the UK’s most striking species, made a surprise appearance!

Summer has arrived in the gardens at Holme! Everything is blooming, buzzing, and full of colour. Whether you’re here for a peaceful wander or just love watching the seasons change, it’s a lovely time to visit.

Looking ahead to summer? We’ve got a fantastic line-up of outdoor performances in the amphitheatre: The New Hardy Players – A Celebration of 20 Years! Friday 13 June, 7.30pm Book Tickets A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Oddsocks Theatre Sunday 20 July 2025, 7.00pm Book Tickets The Rivals – Rain or Shine Theatre Saturday 26 July 2025, 7.30pm Book Tickets Twelfth Night – Folksy Theatre Sunday 10 August 2025, 6.00pm Book Tickets Robin Hood – Folksy Theatre Monday 12 August 2025, 2.00pm Book Tickets

🌿 Still time to visit our Sculpture Trail at Holme for Gardens 🎨 🗓 Friday 4 April – Saturday 17 May 📍 Holme for Gardens If you haven’t had a chance yet, come and explore a selection of beautiful sculptures in stone, metal, glass, and ceramic — all designed by British artists and curated by Andrew Illingworth. Tickets are included with normal garden entry and are available to purchase at the tills. To find out more about the artist and sculptures: Andrew Illingworth – FiveTwo Designs Ltd 📞 01794 874 554 🌐 www.fivetwo.co.uk

Wildlife: Many of us already feed birds during winter, but how can we make sure our gardens offer natural food sources throughout the year and attract a variety of wildlife to our doorstep? Simple changes, like adding bird feeders and planting more berrying or winter flowering shrubs, can make a big difference. Get your tools ready: winter is the perfect time to check on your tools and equipment for the year ahead. Take a look at your stakes, netting, compost, seeds, labels, and any other items you’ll need for the upcoming seasons. Make repairs: It’s a great time to do any repairs to greenhouses, fencing, netting, cold frames, and more—ensuring everything is ready as soon as the weather warms up. Clean and sharpen tools: Take a moment to clean and sharpen your gardening tools so they’re in top condition when it’s time to start working again. Tidy up your space: Clear and tidy your greenhouse, shed, and cold frames. A little organisation now will make the coming months much easier. The early new year is a perfect time to think about any changes you may want to make this year. Why not plan for the future now? Continue with maintenance: Keep up the weeding, and mulching. We have some great tips on our YouTube channel to help you with mulching and other winter tasks. Plant bare-root plants: It’s a great time to plant bare-root plants, and we’ve got helpful advice on our YouTube channel to guide you through this process

Many of you whilst walking around the gardens may have spotted a cage that suddenly sprung up a few months ago. Its has long been Liz's dream to have our own Holme chickens, and we are on the way to making this a reality. This idea however is on temporary hold at the moment, partly due to the cold weather, and partly whilst w e wait to see if NFU is going to update rulings regarding the spread of bird flu. Keep watching... e wait to see if NFU is going to update rulings regarding the spread of bird flu. Keep watching...

Some of you who have visited Holme in the last few days might have noticed a bit of disruption in our overflow car park. This was due to essential maintenance needed for our solar panels. Since going in last year, the solar panels have been a key factor in our 100% renewable and clean energy consumption at Holme, so it was imperative that the work was completed as soon as possible. We thank you for understanding.