Great Ambrook, an Italian Garden in Ipplepen, to be restored thanks to Heritage Fund grant
The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook has been awarded a £188,050 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a 3-year project to restore the garden and broaden its contributions to the local community.
The Italian Garden has received a £188,050 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting heritage project in Ipplepen, South Devon.
Made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on developing the garden as a place of well-being and learning for the local community, whilst protecting its unique environment.
Created by Arthur Graham between 1909 and 1912, The Italian Garden is a rare example of an early 20th Century designed landscape – a walled, secret garden of pools, terraces and garden structures – all hidden away in the Devon countryside.
Over the years it had fallen into disrepair and a team of volunteers has been working on essential restoration work since mid 2020. Visitor access has been enhanced in recent years and this new funding will allow completion of essential infrastructure – improved facilities, repairs to paths and a partial restoration of the summerhouse – all of which will improve the visitor experience as well as provide a better working environment and new training opportunities for the dedicated team of volunteers.
The grant will also fund new community partnerships, providing activities for school children with learning difficulties and adults in need of mental and social support. Through new planting and wildlife monitoring with local organisations, the project will support biodiversity and the environment. Telling the story of the garden in the social context of its time will bring its LGBTQ+ perspective and broader social history to life.
Commenting on the award, Stephanie Berry, project leader, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and are delighted this project will allow The Italian Garden to secure its place as a key heritage asset and a unique contributor to the local South Devon community.”
“We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and are delighted this project will allow The Italian Garden to secure its place as a key heritage asset and a unique contributor to the local South Devon community.””
Details of events, activities and project updates will be available on Facebook, Instagram and our Events Page.
Please contact the project manager via Our Contact Page if you would like to get involved.
About The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook C.I.C.
The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook C.I.C. is a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company whose main activities are to secure the conservation, protection, management, restoration and maintenance of the Italian Garden at Great Ambrook near Ipplepen, South Devon for the benefit of the community.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over £46billion for projects and more than 670,000 grants have been awarded across the UK - the equivalent of more than 240 lottery grants in every UK postcode district. More than £30 million raised each week goes to good causes across the UK.
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact The Italian Garden via Our Contact Page or email ask@theitaliangarden.org if you would like to get involved.