

This is an intensive guide to designing your own garden from start to finish. All aspects of the process are covered from site survey, measuring up, the design process itself, drawing up plans, hard landscaping, and planting design. It is perfect for anyone keen to design their own garden or an excellent taster for those thinking about pursuing Garden Design as a career.
With lunch included, and free entry to the gardens as well it represents excellent value, and would make a lovely gift or day out for someone.
1 day course where you will learn the principles of planting design to give your garden structure and form, as well as which plants to choose so that it is packed with colour for 12 months of the year. Suitable for all levels of experience. With lunch included, and free entry to the gardens as well it represents excellent value, and would make a lovely gift or day out for someone.
A practical course. demonstrating many different methods of propagating new plants.
(Not suitable for people with limited mobility)
Many people struggle to keep the colour in their gardens going after the summer has passed but on this 1 day course Fiona will show you how to plant your garden so that it looks good and is full of colour from late summer right through the autumn. Suitable for all levels of experience With lunch included, and free entry to the gardens as well it represents excellent value, and would make a lovely gift or day out for someone.
*All courses available to book via our 'Courses & Talks' page.
Mums go free for Mothers Day*!
So why not treat your mum to a visit to Green Island Gardens, and top it off with a delicious cream tea/afternoon tea, in beautiful surroundings!
*Offer limited to 1 free entry per any one adult entry bought & does not apply in conjunction with any other offer.

Our annual Easter Egg hunt will be running from Tuesday 31st March to Sunday 5th April. A perfect opportunity to bring the children for some fun exploring the gardens in their spring glory. No extra charges apply and all children win an easter themed prize.


These open air craft fayres are two of our favourite annual events, where local stallholders showcase their work in amongst the gardens in all their late Spring and Summer glory. There's something for everyone with over 30 stalls selling homemade produce, jewellery, crafts, woodwork, glasswork and so much more!
Come and join us for what is guaranteed to be two spectacular weekends!
Artist Sylvia Paul will be showing her vibrant garden paintings at Green Island Gardens for several weeks in 2026. Sylvia regularly visits the gardens throughout the year gathering inspiration for her work. The abundance of colourful flowers in Spring and Summer, and the rich tones of Autumn are captured in her expressive oil paintings. Sylvia has been painting professionally for nearly 50 years and has held numerous exhibitions. She has had her work in open exhibitions at the Mall Galleries and also The Royal Academy. Galleries throughout the U.K. show her paintings and she is represented in art fairs internationally. The exhibition launches at the Green Island Gardens Summer Fair weekend when Sylvia will be demonstrating her painting technique. It will continue throughout the Summer season.
Left: A Painter's Paradise: Garden and Woodland paintings by Sylvia Paul.

Don't forget to book for our delicious home made afternoon teas or cream teas. Spaces limited. Book online or by phone during opening hours.

Green Island Gardens could be the venue for you! Our grounds create a stunning backdrop for a whole range of events including Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Funeral Wakes, Baby Showers, Children's and Adults Birthday Parties, and Anniversaries.
Each function is tailored to your requirements. We will build the package to suit your needs ranging from basic venue hire to Victorian afternoon tea party or large evening function with hog roast, music and dancing.
Contact us for more information or check out our functions & weddings information booklet below.
Our team can work with you to make your event memorable.
Green Island Gardens currently does not hold a license for traditional wedding ceremonies, however we are able to hold alternative ceremonies and wedding receptions.

Paigles Cottage at Green Island Gardens, our two bedroom cottage.
Bluebells Cottage, 1 double bedroom, cosy cottage with wood burning stove.
Both available through AirBnB
Wivenhoe House Hotel.
'intriguingly different'
Luxury 4-star hotel in Colchester
click here