Discover Exeter’s hidden wildlife oasis
One of Exeter’s best patches for wildlife will be open to the public this Sunday for a special open garden event near the quay.
On June 25, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Cricklepit Mill gardens will be open from 11am – 3pm. Join the Cricklepit Garden Group for exclusive tours around the garden, fun nature trails and bug hunting.
Located close to the city’s historic quayside, Cricklepit Mill serves as the Exeter headquarters to Devon Wildlife Trust and boasts of an impressive wildlife garden, often described as an urban oasis in the heart of the city.
Visitors to Cricklepit can wander through the wild flower meadow and enjoy ox-eye daisies, poppies, and other vibrant flowers in full bloom.
The variety of plants and habitats attract a huge range of wildlife to the garden; including striking kingfishers, dainty butterflies, grasshoppers and many other insects and birds.
Managed by a group of dedicated volunteers, the original garden at Cricklepit Mill has been transformed from a lacklustre patch of grass to a thriving wildlife haven.
Last year the Cricklepit Garden Group were rewarded for their green fingered efforts with a prestigious award from Britain in Bloom. Their garden scooped the highest level of accreditation – ‘Outstanding’ – in Britain in Bloom’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards 2016.
With the garden in full bloom, visitors can Devon Wildlife Trust is inviting anyone interested in wildlife or gardening to visit their impressive garden and find out more about how to create a successful wildlife garden.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Rosie Govier said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to explore one of the city’s best wild spots and to learn from our knowledgeable volunteers about gardening for wildlife. Each year our garden group works incredibly hard to create this beautiful wild space and this is our chance to show everyone what they’ve achieved.”
After exploring the garden members of the public will be able to purchase a variety of native plants to help transform their garden into a haven for wildlife.
Volunteer Jon Madge leads the group of garden volunteers at Cricklepit Mill. He said: “I’ve been volunteering with Devon Wildlife Trust for just over five years and in that time, I’ve been fortunate to help oversee the garden’s transformation to the jewel that it is today.
“We’d love to see new and returning visitors to the Cricklepit garden so that we can share our passion for the garden and our role in supporting Devon Wildlife Trust.”
The Cricklepit Garden Group can be found working in the garden every Wednesday afternoon. Its volunteers are just one example of the 300 people who regularly volunteer for the charity across Devon. More details about volunteering for Devon Wildlife Trust can be found at www.devonwildlifetrust.org
Cricklepit Mill and its garden can be found at Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4RB, close to the Bishop Blaize pub and the city’s Quay.
For more information about Cricklepit Mill or Devon Wildlife Trust visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org. Cricklepit Mill’s gardens are open 9am – 5pm, weekdays throughout the year and regular milling days are held on the second Friday of every month.
