The Walled Garden Helen's Bay

The Walled Garden Helen's Bay All profits 💰 from their endeavours are reinvested in the restoration project so everyone is helping to make a difference! Please come and visit 🙏

🌿Breathing new life into a historic Victorian Walled Garden Join us for garden tours, seasonal food and drink experiences, hands-on workshops, intimate weddings and private events in a uniquely restored setting full of charm and character 🌿 James and Lorraine Small bought their Grade B1 listed Walled Garden at the end of 2006 after a 60 year period of neglect and what they found was the bones 🦴of

a wonderful Victorian "secret" kitchen garden🌳 overgrown with invasive pernicious weeds ; old stables and gardener's cottages as well as a rusted lean-to glasshouse...all oozing with potential ..leaving a magical ✨feeling of what had been before. This page highlights their restoration journey... it is their dream to restore the Walled Garden; Old Mill House and its once noteworthy garden 🌻🌼🌷 into a special place that they can share with the local and wider communities and with planning approval now granted.....that dream is closer than ever. The Walled Garden is not open to the public at the minute, however the garden is open for special private events; for garden tours, creative craft and health & wellbeing workshops; as well as the summer Saturday morning Farm Market.

The weekend is now upon us, the sun is shining and, I must confess, the prospect of a nice full-bodied glass of red at t...
20/06/2026

The weekend is now upon us, the sun is shining and, I must confess, the prospect of a nice full-bodied glass of red at the end of the day is very much on my mind… 🍷😁

So this old abstinence pledge card, signed by none other than Thomas Workman, the man behind the Walled Garden in 1886, got me thinking. 🤔

The pledge reads:
"I solemnly vow to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, except for medicinal purposes or religious ceremonies, and to discourage all forms of excessive indulgence."

I couldn't help but smile at that little caveat. Over the years we've unearthed plenty of old medicine and alcohol bottles in the garden and, given that many Victorian remedies were little more than cocktails of morphine, codeine and wine, perhaps the demon drink was the lesser of two evils! 💊🍷🥃😂

Still, it seems Thomas Workman was determined to lead by example.

As for me, I think I'll raise a glass this weekend to Thomas and his admirable restraint, 🍷😉Cheers, Thomas! 🥂

Visit Ards and North Down Discover Northern Ireland Discover Ireland lThe City of Bangor, its past, present and future. Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra The Temperance Movement Everything Victorian PRONI The Linen Hall The Ulster Archaeological Society Discover Northern Ireland Discover Northern Ireland History

🌶️ Does he like chilli jam with wheaten bread… or wheaten bread with chilli jam? ..now that's a question!!🤔This Backroad...
19/06/2026

🌶️ Does he like chilli jam with wheaten bread… or wheaten bread with chilli jam? ..now that's a question!!🤔

This Backroads tour guide certainly seems to approve of our Walled GardenTomato Chilli Jam. If only he was one of this year's Blas na hÉireann judges🙏🏻.... I reckon we'd be onto a gold medal! 🏆🌶️😁

Backroads Visit Ards and North Down Tourism Ireland Tourism Northern Ireland Discover Northern Ireland Discover Ireland Taste Ards and North Down

☔️ Meet Phyllis, one of our wonderful Thursday Girl volunteers, who has clearly discovered the secret to surviving this ...
19/06/2026

☔️ Meet Phyllis, one of our wonderful Thursday Girl volunteers, who has clearly discovered the secret to surviving this never-ending rain!🌧️

While the rest of us are reaching for our umbrellas and wondering if summer has got lost along the way, Phyllis takes refuge beneath one of our giant rhubarb leaves. ☔️🌿Who needs a brolly when nature provides? 😄💚

There's never a dull day in the Walled Garden with Phyllis around, always big smiles whatever the weather!😁

Ards Walled Garden Community Project The City of Bangor, its past, present and future. Holywood, Past, Present and Future ☔️🌿😊

Last week we were delighted to welcome Alis Golding and Marion Briffod from France as part of Tourism Ireland’s ‘Storyma...
18/06/2026

Last week we were delighted to welcome Alis Golding and Marion Briffod from France as part of Tourism Ireland’s ‘Storymakers of Europe Summit’, bringing European creators to experience Ireland’s festivals and heritage first-hand. 👏🏻

We added a little Walled Garden willow magic. 🌿 Their visit began with a dander “down by the Salley Garden” to select and harvest beautifully coloured willow rods, later used in their willow leaf weaving project.

“Beaucoup de rires” and a touch of French flair made it a lovely Entente Cordiale moment, with plenty of shared conversation as we spoke about our journey and future vision.

The creative morning ended with lunch in the glasshouse, immersed in conversation, laughter, and a close-up appreciation of the geraniums in full bloom. 😁🌸

A sincere thank you to Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland for supporting immersive, hands-on experiences that celebrate craft, landscape and living heritage.

Visit Ards and North Down Tourism Ireland Tourism Northern Ireland

After seeing all the beautiful roses and clematis at Garden & Home Show Ireland last week, it feels like the perfect mom...
17/06/2026

After seeing all the beautiful roses and clematis at Garden & Home Show Ireland last week, it feels like the perfect moment to get those climbing plants sorted 🌿

Our willow obelisk workshop is just in time as the garden warms up again and growth kicks into gear. If your roses, sweet peas or clematis are ready to climb, this is a simple, natural way to give them the support they need while adding something beautiful to your space.

Join us on Sunday 28th and spend a relaxed, creative morning working with homegrown willow and learning a traditional craft that’s both practical and timeless.

Only 5 spaces remaining, so early booking is recommended.

Heather Mcdermott Willow Craft Tourism Northern Ireland

🪴 Do you ever wonder where all your missing garden tools go? 🤔The Boss and I are forever baffled by tools that mysteriou...
16/06/2026

🪴 Do you ever wonder where all your missing garden tools go? 🤔

The Boss and I are forever baffled by tools that mysteriously vanish without a trace. One minute they're beside you, the next they've disappeared...he blames me..I blame him..you know the scenario!!😄

This old trowel has finally resurfaced buried beneath a tangle of weeds and branches. Mind you, I don't actually think this one belongs to me...all my trowels have wooden handles! 😂

It may be rusty and worn and no longer be shiny or useful, but it still has its own story to tell...just imagine how many bulbs it planted, weeds it tackled and vegetables it helped grow over the years. 🌱

Please tell me I'm not the only one who loses tools in the garden! 😆
Tourism-Ireland Gardeners world Group Gardens Illustrated BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Gardening for Butterflies, Bees and other beneficial insects Irish Gardens

16/06/2026

Organic satisfaction... just a few snips and lunch is served. 🌿🥗
Simple pleasures grown with care

🌸 Daisies, sunflowers… or something in between? Even Monty might have struggled!! 😄Yesterday’s willow workshop was full ...
15/06/2026

🌸 Daisies, sunflowers… or something in between? Even Monty might have struggled!! 😄

Yesterday’s willow workshop was full of laughter, creativity and plenty of imagination as guests shaped their giant blooms under the expert and patient guidance of willow sculptor Heather McDermott 🌿

Every piece was completely unique, reflecting the personality of its maker, and each flower took on its own character as the day unfolded.

Even better, these handmade blooms are now heading off to gardens across Northern Ireland, where they will hopefully bring happy memories of a day well spent in the Walled Garden. 🌸

Next up: Willow Obelisks 🌿
Sunday 28 June | 10am–4pm

Perfect for supporting climbing roses, clematis, jasmine, sweet peas, beans and more.
Only 5 spaces left. Book now!🌼
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Heather Mcdermott Willow Craft Visit Ards and North Down Tourism Northern Ireland Tourism Ireland The City of Bangor, its past, present and future.

Address

47 Craigdarragh Road
Helen's Bay
BT191UB

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+447704456109

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