The history of fairy gardens

Royal Victoria Country Park is home to a fantastical fairy garden, which opened in April 2019. The garden is open to all and is a magical place to rest and play during a day out.

The central sculpture carved from an ancient cedar tree by local chainsaw artist Chris Bains has intricate turrets, fairies and even a dragon. Nearby an enormous wizard keeps watch over a picnic area, both created by young people supported by Fair Ways. The garden was funded by Fair Ways to challenge perceptions about children in care and to show that with support young people in care can transform their fortunes and begin a new life.

The magic of Royal Victoria Country Park’s sculptures was inspired by the fantastical practice of fairy gardens. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of these enchanting creations, we’re here to give you a glimpse into the past.

What is a fairy garden?

Fairy gardens are mini gardens that are created to attract fairies. Created in containers like window boxes or plant pots, they are usually filled with plants that stay small but would look like trees to fairies. These can include herbs like rosemary, mint, or sage, or succulents like aloes. Fairy gardens often also have tiny versions of life-size creations like mazes, hammocks, and beaches that are the perfect size for fairies. Paths made of stones and even houses made out of pottery and preserved moss can also be added . The key is imagination and creativity.

Where did they come from?

Anne Ashberry was one of the first people to popularise miniature gardens. These are similar to fairy gardens as they’re small, often to scale, gardens without the addition of elements designed to attract fairies.

Despite beginning her career as an engineer, in 1937 Ashberry started a business creating gardens in window boxes. Inspired by Japanese rock gardens, which have existed for thousands of years, Ashberry created these features for elderly or disabled gardeners, as well as those without gardens. Her creations were exhibited at Chelsea Flower Shows and The Festival of Britain Exhibition, and featured in a film about miniature gardens created by British Pathé in 1952. She even created one for Queen Elizabeth II when she was a princess.

At a similar time, belief in fairies and gnomes was high. They were the subject of pottery, ornaments, and printing. In fact, the first images of The Cottingley Fairies had been published in 1917 and 1920, and so for some proof of supernatural creatures had been confirmed. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes, even accepted these images as real. While the photos were confirmed to have been faked in 1983, their legacy continues.

So, it’s only natural that these two things, whimsical gardens and magical creatures, have been combined in our collective imagination. After all, who wouldn’t want to encourage mystical beings to make their homes in window boxes or plant pots?

This sense of fantasy and beauty is mirrored in our fairy garden. As it’s on a much bigger scale, it lets you and your children feel like you are fairies. Our fairy garden can be enjoyed by adults and children alike, so visit Royal Victoria Country Park and enjoy the magic for yourself.