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The Sensory Garden

A special place to restore and revive.

West Horsley Place’s sensory garden is a welcoming, free-access haven created as part of the Heritage Without Barriers initiative, generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and several local trusts. Developed with direct input from blind and partially sighted individuals, the garden emphasizes accessibility and multisensory engagement.

It is free to visit and open everyday.

Free for all

Constructed thoughtfully in a previously neglected section known as the Hornbeam Paddock, the project team— including estate staff and volunteer gardeners — transformed the area using sustainable materials sourced from the estate itself, like repurposed timber for raised beds

The design features include:

  • Raised flower beds to make plantings more tactile and approachable

  • Bold blocks of colour and contrasting textures for striking visual impact

  • “Banks of smells”—fragrant plants that invite visitors to engage with scent

  • Paths of grass offering visual contrast against wooden beds and the garden’s red wall

  • Wooden sculptural elements, such as a seat crafted from a fallen lime tree, inviting touch and reflection

  • Seating areas for rest and contemplation, designed to invite wildlife such as birds, insects and hedgehogs into the space

The sensory garden now offers the community a mindful and creative outdoor experience that embraces both accessibility and natural beauty — all at no cost to visitors.