Thatcham Fruit Flower Farm

Many visit the Wyvale Garden Centre but few know the history of the area.

Miss Mary Peers and Miss Lily Hugh-Jones established, in c.1907, a nursery which became known as Henwick Fruit and Flower Farm. This was situated roughly where Wyvale Garden Centre now stands. This was a school for Lady gardeners and quickly became well know and successful. One student, Mabel Sowerby, went on to win several national awards and became a partner at the farm. For a period Lower Henwick Farm was used for student accommodation and later Old Henwick Cottage was also used for running the farm.

Over time though this became known as the French Gardens, largely due to the fact that the method for cultivating the plants was a French system. The gardens remained until c.1957. A mushroom farm replaced it until 1982 after which the present garden centre was built.

To find out more contact us via email at [email protected] or visit our website thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk