The Kitchen Garden Opens at Chestnut Tree House Hospice
On 24 September 2025, the Greenfingers Charity Kitchen Garden at Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice in Arundel was officially opened, creating a vibrant new outdoor space where children, families and staff can connect with nature. Designed to encourage exploration, learning and wellbeing, the garden adds a unique and practical element to the hospice grounds.
The garden was designed by the award-winning team at Fisher, Tomlin & Bowyer and expertly built by Baylis Landscapes. Blending ornamental planting with productive growing spaces, the Kitchen Garden has been carefully created as both a peaceful environment and a hands-on learning space that will continue to evolve throughout the seasons.
A Garden to Grow, Learn and Explore
Unlike traditional hospice gardens, the Kitchen Garden has been designed to actively involve children and families in the process of growing food. Raised growing beds and accessible planting areas allow children to get involved with gardening activities in a safe and welcoming environment.
Pollinator-friendly planting attracts bees and other beneficial insects, helping to support biodiversity while also creating a lively and colourful space. At the same time, productive crops grown in the garden will be used in the hospice kitchen, allowing children to experience the journey from “garden to plate”.
The garden also encourages family involvement. The hospice’s Dads Club, for example, will play an important role in helping to maintain the space, providing opportunities for parents to spend time outdoors while contributing to the life of the garden.
The Impact of a Hospice Kitchen Garden
Gardens like this offer far more than fresh produce. They provide opportunities for learning, creativity and shared experiences that can have a meaningful impact on children and their families.
For children with life-limiting conditions, gardening activities offer gentle sensory engagement and the chance to explore nature at their own pace. Planting seeds, watering plants and harvesting vegetables can spark curiosity and provide moments of joy and achievement.
For families, the garden becomes a place to work together, relax and enjoy simple outdoor activities that bring a sense of normality. These experiences can create powerful memories and strengthen connections during difficult times.
A Community Effort
The Kitchen Garden at Chestnut Tree House was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of Greenfingers Charity supporters. Special thanks go to Greenfingers Charity Honorary Member Roger Head, whose outstanding support helped bring the project to life.
Further thanks go to The Chapman Trust, The Hedley Foundation, Alexander Rose, Arbour Land Solutions, Greenwood Plants, Rolawn and Veg Trug, as well as many other donors and partners who contributed funds, materials and expertise to create this special space.
Support Hospice Gardens in Sussex
Projects like the Kitchen Garden at Chestnut Tree House demonstrate the powerful role that gardens can play in supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
If you would like to help create more hospice gardens like this in Sussex and across the UK, please consider supporting Greenfingers Charity. Your donation can help transform hospice grounds into places of learning, comfort and connection with nature for families who need it most.