Hidden behind centuries-old stone and sheltered from the Atlantic winds lies one of Padstow’s most enchanting treasures: the Prideaux Walled Garden.
This year, we’re delighted to sit down with two women at the heart of its revival and day-to-day magic—Martha Prideaux, custodian of the estate, and head gardener Emma Restorick.
Martha can you start by telling us a little bit about the Walled Garden and its history:
Prideaux Walled Garden is part of Prideaux Place and has been in the same family for centuries. It has always been connected to the people of Padstow, growing produce and flowers for the house and town. Locals remember buying all sorts of bits and bobs from the Bothy, which was just a barn, up until the 80’s. Many also worked in the gardens, and up at Prideaux Place.
We took it on in 2019 and started restoring walls and paths, drawing out a cut flower plan (with help from The Land Gardeners). I have always had an interest in working with nature rather than against it, so gardening organically with no dig principles was important to me. I was lucky enough to meet Emma in 2020 who’s interest in compost and nature friendly gardening has led to a wonderful journey of discovery. We have worked together since to begin the journey of restoration, with the primary focus being on soil health.
Emma, you’ve been leading the restoration of the garden for 5 years, on regenerative and nature friendly gardening. For visitors attending your masterclass, what are the key principles of soil health and regenerative gardening that you hope to share, and how can gardeners of all levels apply them in their garden?
In this masterclass I’ll talk people through the many different strategies I’ve employed here in the garden to tackle different issues (celebrating the successes but also acknowledging the failures!). It will give people the confidence to observe and get an understanding of what is going on in their soils at a top level, and then we’ll look at different ways you can boost the vitality of your garden and plants, using natural resources that are available to you locally.
The Bothy café is also part of the Prideaux Walled Garden experience. What makes it so special?
I think the fact that it has remained virtually untouched, means that it has an authenticity and simplicity that people love. The kitchen is more like a home than a café, and we have a roaring fire next to a long table, with smaller tables for those who want privacy. It is small, intimate, and completely connected to the garden with everything that is sold there. Alongside lunches and cakes, we make our own teas, cordials and chutneys, sell our flowers, and everything is baked fresh on site, in small batches. We are committed to high quality ingredients and food, and the café is growing at its own pace. It is about as uncommercial as you can get, which I think people respond to.
What will you be offering visitors during the Padstow Christmas Fayre?
We will be serving soup/ stew, snacks and sweet treats in the café. Visitors can sit inside or out in the garden. Plenty of organic wines, beers and spirits to enjoy, along with the best mince pies in Cornwall!
Any future dreams or plans for the garden or Bothy?
Yes! We would love to research grants to be able to restore the Peach Houses, which once went along the entire terrace. Our dreams for the garden and Bothy are unfolding, but I hope the café will host more pop up chef events and workshops. We’d like to grow the garden team so that we can fulfil the Land Gardeners original design which included hundreds of rose bushes and peony borders. I would like to continue working alongside Emma and her fascinating discoveries with soil health, to increase produce and for the garden to continue growing into the magical, unique place that it is.
