What to do now the kids are off school… and it’s finally stopped raining?
Get out into the fresh air and check out these beautiful gardens in Kingbarns which is holding a series of autumn and winter outdoor events held at The Stables Visitor Centre, and around Cambo Estate.
The varied, family and dog friendly agenda will see eight “Makers Markets Weekends” take place, promoting locally sourced crafts, artisan foods, products and gifts, with craft makers present to discuss their wares with those attending.
This weekend, there will also be an Autumn Plant and Produce Market, showcasing Cambo Gardens celebrated seasonal plant, fruit and vegetable selections.
For those keen to explore on foot, three self-guided trails are on offer, a Glingbobs Woodland Trail, a Family Pumpkin Trail for Halloween, and an Apple Trail. Particularly popular with families, all of these trails are suitable for buggies and wheelchairs, at varied lengths to suit all abilities.
Elsewhere around the wider estate, which contains Cambo House, Cambo Farm, and several buildings of note including the old Mausoleum, the Dairy and the Dovecot, there are two marked walking trails, at three, and five and a half kilometres each.
Behind The Stables Visitor Centre is the ever changing Walled Garden, with 24 different areas of seasonal interest. Throughout the autumn the North American Prairie, herbaceous borders and rainbow themed potager are alive with vibrant colour and a haven for bees and butterflies.
Foodies will be well catered for in the events programme, with two Wood Fired Feasts taking place, on Saturdays, from 17th Oct to 14th November.
These evening dining events, priced at £20 per person, will give those attending the opportunity to sample the delicious food of celebrated chef, author and café owner, Gillian Veal who runs the Cambo cafe. Guests will enjoy a feast harvested from the garden and wood fired in our outdoor oven to be savoured under a canopy of trees and twinkling lights.
Booking in advance is essential via hello@cambogardens.org.uk.
“We’re very pleased to have put together this programme of autumn and winter events here at Cambo Gardens,” said Keri Ivins, Director of Cambo Gardens.
“There is something for everyone, from the foodie keen to experience the evocative smell of a traditional wood fire, to lovers of crafts, to families looking to engage their children with fairies and goblins on the Glingbobs Woodland Trail.”
“We’re also happy to be including the Pumpkin Trail for Halloween, and the Makers Markets are a good excuse to start your Christmas shopping,” she said.
“While as a Visitor Attraction, and a registered Charity, we are adapting to the “new normal”, we feel that people’s thoughts will soon turn to seasonal events, such as Halloween and Christmas, that traditionally we all like to enjoy. We hope that they can take part here in the safe surroundings of Cambo.”
Keri explained that as lockdown was easing (though announcements change weekly), it was fantastic to have visitors back at the gardens, enjoying the surroundings, and making use of the popular café.
“The café has always been well used by the local community, as well as day trippers,” she said. “We have introduced socially distanced tables in the old Stables horse stalls, so it’s ideal for your own family group, or they can sit outdoors, or use the takeaway service,” she said.
“The gift shop is open, and we also operate it online now. It’s always been a supporter of local artists and craftspeople. We currently have stock from St Andrews Pottery, Charlotte Jagger Jewellery, Crail Pottery, Louise Wedderburn Designs, and Imprint Botanical Prints from Upper Largo.”
Keri finished by saying: “We’d like to thank Discover Scottish Gardens who are helping us promote these events to a wider audience. We’ve always been known for helping our visitors to engage with nature, and to make the very most of the rich heritage we have here. We hope these events are successful, and then we can all start to look ahead with optimism and plan for next year.”
Further details all events www.cambogardens.org.uk.
Cambo Heritage Trust (SC028131), managed by a board of trustees, holds the lease for the Walled Garden, Stables and its environs to develop educational and enterprise programmes and operate the gardens as a visitor attraction, managing the archive of Cambo Estate to engage the community with local heritage.