Chelsea Fringe
  • Home
  • What’s on
  • At a Glance
    • Chelsea Fringe 2023
    • Chelsea Fringe 2022
    • Chelsea Fringe 2021
    • Chelsea Fringe 2020
  • About
    • News
    • Who we are
    • History
    • Our Team
    • Thanks to Our Supporters
    • Press
    • YouTube Channel
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Register an event
    • Volunteer
Log in
  • Home
  • What’s on
  • At a Glance
    • Chelsea Fringe 2023
    • Chelsea Fringe 2022
    • Chelsea Fringe 2021
    • Chelsea Fringe 2020
  • About
    • News
    • Who we are
    • History
    • Our Team
    • Thanks to Our Supporters
    • Press
    • YouTube Channel
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Register an event
    • Volunteer
Log in

Search for a Chelsea Fringe 2023 event

Filter

Filter:

This event has now ended

May 27th 2023

Plants and People in a Walthamstow Churchyard

11am - 2pm
  • Community garden
  • ,
  • Open garden
  • ,
  • Walk

In the heart of Walthamstow lies the Village, where you’ll find the ancient St Mary’s church with its extensive and historic churchyard. Here the dead lie at rest in a verdant, peaceful spot which is fast becoming a local treasure. Perhaps its silent inhabitants can hear the woodpecker, tap tapping in the trees above, as bees hurry to and from their churchyard hives. Here and there, graves are planted up in the style of their volunteer gardener and you may spot other volunteers tending the wildlife pond or tackling weeds.

In previous years we have brought you walks around the community gardens in some of our streets. In this last year much has happened to both church and churchyard and there’s a lot to see. Nearby is the community meadow, the 1870s Penfold post box set against the backdrop of the 15th century Ancient House, the Vestry Museum, Georgian almshouses and the famous Orford Road shops, pubs and restaurants.

HEAD GARDENER TOUR NEW THIS YEAR! Join Head Gardener Tim Hewitt on a guided tour of the churchyard. Hear about the innovative planting schemes which he’s trialling, such as a dry bed and how the management of the whole churchyard is designed to attract and maintain a gloriously biodiverse haven.

BURIALS IN BLOOM TOUR NEW THIS YEAR! Volunteer gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about their adopted graves as a guide takes you round. Marvel at the variety of styles and how they complement each other.

HISTORICAL TOURS The churchyard has many fine monuments and we will be running guided tours covering the graves themselves and the stories behind them.

The church will be open and you can explore at your own pace or benefit from a local guide.

PRACTICALITIES

Head Gardener tours at 11am, 12pm and 1pm. The other tours will be more flexibly timed but will start about 11.15am and will be repeated according to demand. Numbers are limited on the tours and you can sign up on arrival.

Refreshments and stalls The new church café will be open and plants and churchyard honey will be on sale.

Admission: FREE

Organiser

Helena Poldervaart

https://www.stmaryswalthamstow.org/churchyard/

Instagram feed

Location

St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church Walthamstow, 8 Church End, London E17 9RJ, UK

Directions: 10 mins walk from tube and bus stations

Nearest transport link(s): Tube : Victoria Line to Walthamstow Central, then 10 minute walk Buses : many buses terminate or go past Walthamstow bus station which is next to the tube

Contact name at the venue: Helena Poldervaart

Not accessible

Organiser

Helena Poldervaart

https://www.stmaryswalthamstow.org/churchyard/

Instagram feed

Events nearby:

  • May 23rd 2023

    2012 Gardens at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

    Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford Walk, London E20 2AD, UK
  • May 23rd 2023

    Bee Bins, Planting a Wilder Mile

    SE1 0AB, 1 Flat Iron Square, London, SE1 0AB
  • May 20th 2023

    Bloom in Spitalfields

    Town House Spitalfields, 5 Fournier Street London E1 6QE
  • What’s on
  • At a Glance
  • News
  • Who we are
    • History
    • Our Team
    • Contact
    • Thanks to Our Supporters
    • FAQ
    • YouTube channel
    • Press
  • Get Involved
    • Want to register and add an event?
    • Volunteer

Sign up for updates

Keep up to date on important fringe dates. We will not pass on your details to anyone else.

© Chelsea Fringe 2025

Scroll Up