Visiting The Plant Library and The Barn Garden
There are several opportunities to visit the Orchard Plant Library and Barn Garden from April - October. All money raised will go directly to The Serge Hill Project CIC.
You can book a ticket to visit the gardens on the first Tuesday of each month, from April - October.
How to Find Us
The Serge Hill Project
The Orchard, Featherbed Lane, Serge Hill Lane
Bedmond, Hertfordshire WD5 0RZ
Group Visits
It is possible to make an advance group booking between May and mid-September (excluding August), Monday to Friday, depending on availability. Your visit to the Barn Garden will also include the Orchard and its Plant Library which holds more than 1500 different varieties of mainly herbaceous plants, that can be walked through and studied from all angles.
Groups that visit between May and mid-July can also request to visit Serge Hill. This lovely Regency house is situated next door to the Barn Garden, set in beautiful parkland with a walled garden tended by Kate Stuart-Smith (Tom’s sister).
The cost of visiting the Barn Garden and Plant Library is £35 per person. The cost of visiting the Barn Garden, Plant Library and Serge Hill together is £47 per person. The minimum group size is 15 people, and the maximum is 40 people. You are welcome to bring a smaller group, but the minimum cost for 15 people will apply.
Visitor Information - Getting Here
Visitors are encouraged to use sustainable means of transport wherever possible. Schools and private groups arriving by coach/ minibus are advised to travel via Bedmond, along Sergehill Lane, because the route via Whitehouse Lane is not suitable for large vehicles. The visitor parking and meeting point is highlighted on the map.
TRAIN: For those using the train, the nearest train station is Kings Langley which has a taxi service, Kings Cars, that can be booked in advance by calling 01923 262266. St Albans City Station is slightly further away and has a taxi rank.
BUS: The No.20 Bus runs from Watford Junction train station to Bedmond and from there it is a 12minute walk to Featherbed Lane.
CYCLE: If you are cycling, there is bike rack on site you can use upon arrival.
CAR: For individual visitors arriving by car, there is parking on site as indicated on the map. There is also a pay-per-use EV Charger that is available for use by visitors with electric vehicles.
Group Visits
Group visits typically start around 10:30am, with an introduction to both gardens included, and around two hours for the Barn Garden and Plant Library, and an hour for Serge Hill.
Coaches should approach directly from Bedmond, otherwise the country lanes from the other directions (including Chiswell Green) are too narrow.
Please plan for lunch after you depart the gardens as we do not currently have any catering options available, unless booked in advance, nor are we able to accommodate picnics. There is an option to add Tea/coffee and cake or a two-course lunch when visiting Serge Hill Gardens, but these must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
Accessible parking for those who require it is available at the entry to The Orchard Barn. There is step-free access to the building and all areas. However, there are many potential trip hazards and uneven surfaces that may be encountered whilst visiting the gardens, along with gravel paths that aren’t suitable for walking frames with wheels. The gardens are extensive so there’s a lot of ground to cover. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works at the Orchard, there may be additional hazards to look out for.