Charity garden sees visitor numbers fall by almost 60%.
Furzey Gardens is calling on people to visit and support the charity garden after the closure of the A31 caused visitor numbers to fall by almost 60%. The much-loved New Forest garden in Minstead has lost over £25,000 in income since the wildfire and resulting road closure began earlier this month. Now, as the A31 reopens, the team at Furzey is asking people across Hampshire and beyond to help its recovery by planning a visit during the final week of August and throughout September.
Despite Furzey Gardens remaining open, disruption surrounding the wildfire and the closure of one of the main routes into the New Forest had an immediate impact on visitors. Visitor numbers have been almost 60% lower than last year while the A31 has been closed, during what should be one of the busiest periods of the year.
The lost income is particularly significant because Furzey Gardens is a social enterprise of local charity Minstead Trust. Neuro disabled people maintain the gardens, raise plants in the nursery and learn new skills in the 12-acre woodland garden. The garden relies on entrance donations and tea room income to continue to be a haven for visitors and neuro disabled people alike.
It follows a very difficult year for the garden as it faced one of its wettest late springs, followed by unprecedented heat and drought that has stressed plants and resulted in a huge dip in visitor numbers and income over the year.
Adam Dodd, Minstead Trust CEO, said: “First and foremost, we are hugely grateful to the firefighters and everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring the wildfire under control and protect the New Forest. But the knock-on effect for Furzey has been enormous. We have remained open and ready to welcome people, but visitor numbers have been almost halved, and we have lost tens of thousands of pounds during an incredibly important part of our year. The reopening of the A31 feels like a real turning point. The best way people can support us now is very simple: come and spend a day at Furzey. Visit the gardens, enjoy something in the tea rooms, explore the fairy doors or buy a plant to take home. Every visit helps Furzey recover and supports the opportunities we provide for neuro disabled people.”
The gardens remain fully open, with visitors able to explore Furzey’s collection of rare and unusual plants, more than 40 fairy doors, a play area and thatched tea rooms. Its Galactic Furzey space adventure trail runs until 1 September for families with children under 12.
September will see late summer borders blooming in the gardens alongside the Nature Through Our Eyes outdoor photography exhibition, featuring images from neuro disabled photographers, which opens on 12 September.
Furzey Gardens is open daily from 10am to 4pm, plan your visit at furzey-gardens.org.
The charity garden also welcomes donations to help it cope at www.furzey-gardens.org/support-us
