The Secret Garden
Found within the grounds of St Fagans National Museum of History, The Secret Garden offers adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs a unique opportunity to connect with nature, explore the history of Ysgubor Fawr, and develop valuable life skills
This project is possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
About the Secret Garden project
The Secret Garden is a collaborative project that blends gardening and historical research.
Working alongside community volunteers, St Fagans National Museum of History, and Glamorgan Archives, our volunteers restore and maintain the historic cottage garden while uncovering the fascinating stories of Ysgubor Fawr cottage and its former inhabitants.
Our Skills and Wellbeing activities at The Secret Garden are free of charge and open to everyone.
Step into a world of history and horticulture
History at the Secret Garden
Gardening at the Secret Garden
The Secret Garden activities
The Secret Garden activities include, but are not limited to:
- Weekly gardening sessions based at the Secret Garden to care for and develop the site.
- Making decisions about what needs doing in the garden.
- One-off nature and gardening activities at the Secret Garden or Saint Fagans National Museum of History.
- Historical research activities based at Saint Fagans National Museum of History and Glamorgan Archives to learn about the garden’s past.
- Planning sessions to organise the end-of-project exhibition about the garden’s past.
Key elements
Group gardening sessions
Help us restore and maintain a beautiful, historic garden.
Volunteer with others to shape the future of the garden while learning traditional techniques and caring for Ysgubor Fawr’s historic cottage garden.
Historical research
Explore the rich history of Ysgubor Fawr cottage and its gardens.
Explore the archives of Saint Fagans and Glamorgan Archives to uncover the history of the Secret Garden, Ysgubor Fawr cottage, and and the people who lived there.
Community and wellbeing
Meet new people, make friends, and work collaboratively.
Connect with others, build friendships, and gain self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment through contributing to a meaningful community project.
Project feedback
The reason I go to the Secret Garden is the Innovate Trust team, I think are very good. The fresh air [is good], we plant bulbs there and vegetables. I meet other people like myself and it gets me out of the flat.
Project funders
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
The Secret Garden is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to work with adults with learning disabilities and other additional needs to explore the rich history of Ysgubor Fawr cottage and nurture its garden.
