This year’s theme is inspired by Heroes and Villains. Tatton Park’s education and gardening teams have put together a fun-to-follow scarecrow trail – and some great activities too.
Head Gardener Simon Tetlow says, “It’s that time of year again, and we are busy recruiting new scarecrows. It’s a tough selection process for these ragged and scruffy characters – but we have to find out who is the best at the job!”
There are 30+ scarecrows in all, scattered throughout our 50 acres of beautiful Gardens. It’s a challenge to find them all, and especially to follow the trail and match up our famous pairs of Heroes and Villains. See if you can you spot them all and create your own special selfies!
Fancy making a scarecrow of your own? You’ll find all the materials you need in the Fig House, and our education team will be popping in from time to time to offer help and suggestions. Later on, if your scarecrow is man (or woman) enough to hold together, your creation will join the others on display.
Simon says that scarecrows are a valuable addition to any vegetable garden. “They are traditional aids to deterring garden invaders such as crows, pigeons, and even pesky squirrels. These can do a lot of damage to young plants especially.”
Scarecrows have a long history, and are used in many parts of the world. In Japan, they have become an art form all to themselves, and on the island of Shikoku there is a village with only 35 inhabitants – but more than 350 scarecrows.
Scarecrow Festivals are held in various places throughout Britain, often with specific themes. Not everyone sticks to the basic name of ‘scarecrow’. On the Isle of Skye they are knows as Tattie Bogals, in Berkshire, you’d be looking for a Hodmedod, in Somerset a Mommet, in Sussex a Mawkin, and in Scotland a Bodach-rocals (meaning ‘old man of the rocks’).
At Tatton we just stick to ‘scarecrow’. Come and meet them!
Open every day from Saturday, 16 February to Sunday, 24 February 2019,
10am to 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Walkers, cyclists and booked coaches can enter the Park free of charge. A £7 vehicle Park entry charge applies for all visitors who arrive by car, minibus or motorbike. There is a Garden entry fee of £7 per adult, £5 for a child 4-15 years, and £19 for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children. National Trust and RHS members have free entry to the Gardens.
Tatton Park is managed and financed by Cheshire East Council on behalf of the National Trust. This impressive historic estate receives in the region of 800,000 visitors every year who come to enjoy its neo-classical Mansion, medieval Old Hall, award-winning Gardens and working Farm. The 1,000-acre deer park is home to red and fallow deer and the estate also boasts speciality shops, adventure playground, restaurant, Gardener’s Cottage tea room, and year-round events programme.
For further information please contact:
Carole Hyde, Business Development Manager
T: 01625 374410 E: carole.hyde@cheshireeast.gov.uk
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