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 Welsh Council for Voluntary Action, Volunteering Wales Main Grant Scheme
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, our volunteers restore and maintain a historic cottage garden while uncovering the fascinating stories of the former inhabitants of the Plymouth Estate.
The project also provides the opportunity to explore heritage sites and environmental conservation in the Vale of Glamorgan through an exciting seasonal programme of work in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Countryside Team.
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.
- One-off historical research activities at Saint Fagans National Museum of History and fascinating heritage sites in the Vale of Glamorgan.
- Planning sessions to organise the end-of-project exhibition about the garden’s past.
- Environmental conservation opportunities in the Vale of Glamorgan to learn about the protection of plants and wildlife.
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 the original Plymouth Estate and its gardens.
Explore the archives of Saint Fagans to uncover the rich history of the Plymouth Estate before it became St Fagans National Museum of History.
Step into beautiful heritage sites in the Vale of Glamorgan and learn about history through the ages.
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
The Secret Garden project is made possible thanks to the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action, through the Volunteering Wales Main Grant Scheme. This scheme is funded by the Welsh Government to promote and improve volunteering in Wales.
