The New Milton Community Garden is a green space where the community can enjoy the health benefits of being close to nature.
About New Milton Community Garden
The New Milton Community Garden is a welcoming green space growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers for the local community to enjoy. Gardening and spending time in nature have been shown to improve mental and physical health, and the Garden allows people to connect with the natural environment staying active and promoting wellbeing, friendship, education, and social engagement. The Garden is open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons during the spring and summer and is manned by trustees and volunteers.
The original idea to create the New Milton Community Garden came during the Covid-19 pandemic which raised awareness of how important being among nature and gardening are for our wellbeing and mental and physical health. In addition to the benefits of keeping fit through the physical aspects of gardening, the Garden provides a beneficial space for the local community, allowing:
- social interaction to help alleviate loneliness and isolation, maintain independence and prevent cognitive decline
- increased outdoor activity to combat the negative impact of sedentary lifestyles
- connections with nature and the benefits to the senses of colour, scent, and touch, which activate the ‘happiness’ hormones, dopamine and serotonin
- the satisfaction of seeing plants growing from seeds that have been sown, as well as harvesting and eating fresh food
- relaxation and contemplation through the calming and balancing effect of the seasons’ natural cycles which provides an anchor in turbulent times
Education is an important part of New Milton Community Garden’s mission and encouraging children and young people to come and learn about the importance of sustainability and the environment. The Garden regularly hosts children and young people from local charities, schools, and Scout and Guide groups, to encourage an interest in nature and the environment. Recent activities children have participated in include building a bug hotel to provide shelter for pollinators, harvesting vegetables, growing sunflowers, and a treasure hunt.
Activities available
- New Milton Community Garden provides an inclusive space for visitors to enjoy at any time, manned by trustees and volunteers on two mornings (Tuesday and Saturday) and one afternoon a week (Wednesday). The Garden is maintained during these sessions as well as tasks including planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables which are given to visitors and volunteers.
- Visitors and volunteers can take part in gardening activities including weeding, planting, pruning, watering, mulching, and harvesting fruit and vegetables.
Access and facilities
- Accessibility and inclusivity are a key part of the Garden’s mandate and efforts have been made to ensure that those with limited mobility can access the facilities within the garden. Four of the ten raised planting beds are taller to provide easier access and the covered seating area under the central gazebo has areas to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There are gravel paths to provide access to all areas of the garden. The newly-created sensory garden provides a space for anyone who is visually impaired to enjoy the sounds, scents, and textures of grasses and perennial plants.
- Wheelchair accessible / level access
- Seating / rest points available
- Suitable for under 18s
- Disability-friendly
- Activities are outside
- Suitable for older people
- Suitable for people with restricted mobility
What New Milton Community Garden participants can expect
- Visitors and volunteers to New Milton Community Garden will find a welcoming and inclusive space that has level access and elevated raised beds making access easier for those with limited movement.
- The open sessions are manned by at least one trustee and other volunteers who can provide guidance and direction for those who are new to gardening.
- The social aspect of the garden is very important and volunteers and visitors can relax in the garden and share their experiences.
Where sessions take place
- New Milton Community Garden is located at the Moore Close end of Fawcett’s Field, Christchurch Road, New Milton, BH25 6QF.
- Getting there:
- Parking is available in the Fawcett’s Field car park, with access on foot via paths across the adjacent grassed areas. Pedestrian access is also available via Moore Close.
- Buses run from New Milton to Highcliffe which stop in Christchurch Road.
- Getting there:
When sessions take place
- Sessions take place on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 10.00am to 12.00pm and on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
Who can participate?
- The garden welcomes people of all ages and abilities.
Cost
- Sessions and entry are free.
How to book
- Booking is not necessary.
Find New Milton Community Garden on social media:
Not the right group for you? Find our other groups and opportunities on the Green Health Hub, or search by activity. Find out how to enjoy the New Forest on your own through the National Park Authority.
