Cowbridge Physic Gardens, South Glamorgan
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Cowbridge Physic Garden is a ½ acre physic garden located within the heart of the ancient market town of Cowbridge and was originally part of the Old Hall Gardens, laid out by the Edmondes family in the 18th century. Badly neglected in the 20th century, it was brought back to life by enthusiastic volunteers and today is a glorious array of medicinal plants and herbs, typical of physic gardens from centuries past.
Having completed the construction of The Cowbridge Physic Garden in 2006, Addagrip approved installer Landcraft Projects Ltd was delighted to be approached by The Cowbridge Physic Garden Trust to advise on an alternative surface for the original stone dust paths which had begun to wear and breakdown leading to an uneven surface and muddy conditions in wet weather.
Having seen Terrabase Rustic used in Kew Gardens, The Physic Garden Trust were keen to have a similar surface in the garden and Landcraft were able to advise and provide samples of the many options available.
To help them with their final decision, members of the trust arranged to meet Mr Mark Wilmot of Addagrip and members of the Kew staff at Kew Gardens to view the Terrabase resin in-situ and to discuss how the new surfacing is performing. Following their discussions with Mark and the staff at Kew the Trust decided on Terrabase Classic – the Terrabase system with a smaller 6mm Chestnut finish laid to a depth of 30mm.
The garden is a very popular attraction in the historical market town of Cowbridge and attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond so the trust was keen to keep disruption to a minimum. With the limited access and the need to keep the garden open, Landcraft Projects proposed a 6-week programme with the surfacing works being undertaken in phases. Having removed and replaced approximately 500m2 of stonedust with the new Terrabase Rustic surface, whilst maintaining public access into and through the garden for all but one day, the works were completed a week ahead of programme.
We think the newly surfaced paths are a great addition to the garden with the subtle hues of the Rustic Oak providing effective delineation without detracting from the planting and will ensure the garden remains accessible to all for the foreseeable future.
