The enchanting Larchill Arcadian Gardens are Europe’s oldest of their kind, and whilst there was a period oof time when the garden became hidden and “forgotten”, a period of dedicated restoration has recovered the beautiful and unique garden and the numerous follies that today form extended walled garden, lake and surrounds. Folklore stories of hauntings and the ‘strange’ nature of Larchill ensured its continued notoriety. It was in 1994 the de Las Casas family acquired Larchill. Paddy Bowe, Garden Historian, visited Larchill and was the first to realise that Larchill was indeed a Ferme Ornée and an important ‘lost’ garden.

In recognition of the quality and sensitivity of the restoration program Larchill Arcadian Garden has been awarded the 1988 National Henry Ford Conservation Award, the 1999 ESB Community Environment Award and the 2002 European Union Environmental Heritage Award.

For our event we look forward to a guided story tour of the gardens, a light vegetarian lunch in the garden cafe, followed by some curated CRAICLY social storytelling. There will also be time to relax and enjoy the gardens peacefully, and we will be exhibiting the beautiful story and photography exhibition Bitesize:Behind the Bite.