The Lavender Avenue is once again beginning to show the colour and fragrance that make it one of the highlights of summer at Holme. As the plants come into flower, the avenue becomes a favourite destination for visitors, photographers, bees and butterflies alike. Recent planting work has extended the avenue, ensuring this much-loved feature continues to develop and provide an even more impressive display in years to come. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely walk through the gardens or simply taking a moment to appreciate the scent of lavender on a warm summer's day, the avenue remains one of the most memorable parts of a visit to Holme.

We were delighted to welcome Emily Reeves from the Royal Horticultural Society to Holme recently as part of the RHS Partner Garden Scheme. RHS members can enjoy free entry to the extensive gardens at Holme on Mondays and Tuesdays by presenting their RHS membership card. During her visit, Emily spent time exploring the gardens and learning more about the planting, wildlife habitats and ongoing development of the site. As an experienced gardener herself, she particularly appreciated the relaxed and informal nature of the gardens and recognised the value they bring to RHS members looking to discover inspiring gardens across the country. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the RHS and welcoming more members to Holme throughout the year.

We're delighted to welcome B Curtis Farm Shop & Butchery to Holme for Gardens. For generations, the Curtis name has been synonymous with quality, traditional butchery and exceptional local produce. Established in Wareham in 1951, B Curtis has built its reputation on trusted provenance, skilled craftsmanship and friendly service. Today, we're proud to begin an exciting new chapter together here at Holme. The new farm shop is much more than a butchers. It's a destination for anyone who loves great food, bringing together a carefully selected range of locally sourced meats, homemade pies and ready meals, artisan cheeses, delicatessen favourites, fresh fruit and vegetables, bakery goods, wines, local beers and so much more. At the heart of the shop is something truly unique – Dorset's first Himalayan salt dry-ageing room. Behind a stunning four-metre glass frontage, premium beef is aged to enhance both tenderness and flavour, offering visitors the opportunity to see traditional craft butchery in action. The arrival of B Curtis perfectly complements everything Holme for Gardens is about. We've always believed in supporting local businesses, celebrating quality produce and creating a place where people can enjoy the very best Dorset has to offer. The new farm shop brings another reason to visit Holme, whether you're planning a family meal, looking for inspiration, or simply wanting to take home something special. We're excited to see this new partnership grow and are thrilled to welcome David Curtis and the entire B Curtis team to the Holme family. We hope you'll come along, explore the new farm shop, meet the team, and discover everything B Curtis Farm Shop & Butchery has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Holme owner Simon Goldsack was on site in Wimbledon on 29 April overseeing the planting of mature trees as part of a large-scale landscaping project. Often described as 'instant gardening', the planting of established trees can transform a space immediately, creating structure, maturity and impact from day one. Careful planning, preparation and aftercare are essential when working with trees of this size, ensuring they establish successfully in their new surroundings. Projects such as these showcase the expertise and attention to detail involved in creating successful landscapes, whether for private gardens, commercial sites or public spaces.

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."

A sure sign that spring has arrived at Holme is the return of the swallows to the Gathering Pond. This week we welcomed them back to their nesting site beside the hide and viewing deck, where visitors can enjoy watching them from the comfort of the Adirondack chairs overlooking the water. Over the past two years, 18 chicks have successfully been raised from nests in this building, making it a particularly special wildlife success story within the gardens. The Gathering Pond is one of the most peaceful places to spend time at Holme, offering opportunities to relax, enjoy nature and observe wildlife throughout the changing seasons. As the nesting season progresses, we look forward to seeing another generation take flight.

One of the joys of early spring at Holme is spotting the first seasonal treasures emerging throughout the gardens. The delicate flowers of Snake's Head Fritillaries are beginning to appear, bringing their distinctive chequered blooms to the borders and naturalised areas. Alongside them, the fresh green fronds of Shuttlecock Ferns are slowly unfurling, adding texture and interest as the garden awakens after winter. These fleeting moments are often some of the most rewarding for keen gardeners and nature lovers, offering a reminder that a new gardening season is underway. If you're visiting during spring, keep an eye out for these seasonal highlights as you explore the gardens.

Work has recently started on extending Holme's much-loved Lavender Avenue. An additional 270 lavender plants are being planted, extending the avenue by around 20 metres and creating an even more impressive display for visitors to enjoy in the years ahead. The Lavender Avenue has become one of the most photographed areas of the gardens during summer, attracting visitors, pollinators and photographers alike. Overseeing proceedings is Lady Jane, a familiar face to many regular visitors, who has been keeping a close eye on the work from her favourite spot amongst the lavender. We look forward to sharing updates as the new planting establishes and becomes part of this special feature within the gardens.

Even in the depths of winter, the gardens at Holme are full of colour and interest. Conifers provide structure and texture throughout the year, while heathers bring welcome colour to the garden when many other plants are still dormant. Together they create beautiful planting combinations that work in gardens of all sizes. Simon recently spent some time exploring the conifer and heather collections at Holme, highlighting some of the different varieties growing throughout the site and sharing why they remain such valuable garden plants. Whether you are looking for year-round interest, low-maintenance planting or simply inspiration for your own garden, there is plenty to discover. Watch Simon's video below to learn more about these wonderful plants. 🎥 https://youtu.be/EluHsvelkUk?si=Ahzfi2q8RIWrubOw

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