About the garden
Owned by
Perennial
Fullers Mill is an enchanting quiet waterside oasis, created by the late Bernard Tickner MBE, who started developing the garden in 1958.
Set near Bury St Edmunds in the heart of Suffolk, this seven-acre garden sits on the banks of the River Lark and Culford Stream and has its own Mill Pond.
This tranquil garden surprises with a plantsman’s collection of rare and unusual shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants. A Mediterranean influence of planting runs through the The Quandaries, while alpines grow charmingly on the terraces in the Low Garden, which is a mix of shady areas and sunny clearings.
During the last year, some of the garden areas have been rejuvenated. New plants, which will be in their full glory in mid-summer, have been introduced. These include Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Gold Rush’ becoming a beautiful golden yellow and Tilia henryana - Henry’s Lime with its stunning heart-shaped leaves and a fragrant display of small creamy-white flowers.
Visitors can explore the unique collection of plants and shrubs before tucking into tea, cake and ice cream from the Bothy Tea Room. You can also purchase plants grown by the gardeners to take home. Head gardener Annie Dellbridge and her team of gardeners and volunteers maintain the garden for the enjoyment of visitors from April to October. There are exclusive open days during the winter months, such as our snowdrop events.
Fullers Mill won the 2021 RHS Partner Garden of the Year Award for the Midlands and East Anglia region and 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
In 2013, the garden was gifted to the charity Perennial – the UK’s only charity that looks after people in horticulture and their families at any stage of life – for its long-term preservation. Visit perennial.org.uk for further information about Perennial and the support provided.
Please note: this garden is partially accessible.
