Our Community Garden at Aldingbourne Country Centre

At Earth Cycle we believe that our gardens and green spaces can do more than just look beautiful and grow produce - they offer a sanctuary from the busy world and can boost mental health and wellbeing, protect the planet and bring people together.

So we're excited to announce our latest project: a new Community Garden at the Aldingbourne Country Centre in West Sussex.

Designed to be a hub of learning, wellbeing, and sustainability, this 685-square-metre green space is officially underway and will open to the public this summer.

This new community garden has been designed by Lynne Lambourne, a sustainable garden designer who has worked with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Ideal Home Show. It will include seasonal planting, fruit and vegetable plots and wildflower areas, encouraging visitors, school groups and Aldingbourne staff and people they support to get involved with hands-on activities which develop their knowledge of gardening. With accessible paths, raised beds, seating and an outdoor classroom the aim is to provide a teaching and learning space, as well as an attractive and peaceful outdoor environment.

What’s growing at Aldingbourne?

Key features of the new community garden space include:

Hands-on learning: An outdoor classroom and accessible paths designed for school groups and visitors.
Biodiversity: Dedicated wildflower areas to support local pollinators.
The "Plot to Plate" philosophy: Fruit and vegetable allotments where the Aldingbourne team can grow their own fresh produce.
Accessibility for all: Raised beds and inclusive seating, ensuring the space is accessible for the people the Trust supports, staff, and visitors.

Why this project matters

For all of us at Earth Cycle, this project is personal. As part of The Woodhorn Group, a family-run business based near Chichester, we’ve been part of the West Sussex landscape since 1882. Our owner John Pitts has also been a Trustee at Aldingbourne for many years.

The Aldingbourne Trust has spent 48 years supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. This garden provides a new stage for their incredible work. The build is a true team effort: their workshop team is busy crafting the raised beds, while the horticulture team has already begun raising herbs and salads from seed in the greenhouses.

For our garden designer Lynne Lambourne, the project represents the best of what gardening can achieve, sharing: “This garden will be a space that nurtures wellbeing, connection, and opportunity for so many people. I’m so excited to see it grow.”

Stay tuned to our social channels or subscribe to our newsletter to see the garden progress!