Dean Garnier Garden

General information

Resting quietly in the shadow of the medieval wall, with a backdrop of the south transept of Winchester Cathedral, a small peaceful garden welcomes visitors to pause a while and enjoy its tranquillity.

Thomas Garnier was Dean of Winchester from 1840-1872. Passionate about plants from an early age he was a founding member of the Hampshire Horticultural Society and created the beautiful garden and arboretum at Bishopstoke Rectory. Many of the mature trees that surround the Cathedral were planted by him and he worked tirelessly to bring civic and ecclesiastical Winchester together; thus it seemed appropriate to dedicate this garden to his memory.

The Dean Garnier Garden is cared for voluntarily by the Friends of Dean Garnier Garden and depends entirely on donations. We welcome volunteers and have Working Parties on the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings in the month from 9.30-11.30am. You do not have to come for the whole two hours nor be an advanced gardener; there is always a small job to be done that makes all the difference to the appearance and perhaps might bring a smile to The Gardening Dean's face!