Peter Rabbit takes GOLD at the Chelsea Flower Show
Richard Lucas, the acclaimed designer of the World of Beatrix Potter™ Attraction’s much-loved Peter Rabbit™ Garden has secured the Bowness-on-Windermere Attraction a coveted Gold medal at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the Peter Rabbit™ Herb Garden. Working alongside plant nursery Hooksgreen Herbs from Stone in Staffordshire who grew and supplied the herbs and plants, Richard has created a magical show garden for the Great Pavilion, bringing to life the drawings and illustrations from Beatrix Potter’s famous little books, highlighting key iconic images from the Tale of Peter Rabbit. The garden features culinary and medicinal herbs, vegetables, wild flowers and some cottage garden favourites too, along with Mr McGregor’s old greenhouse and kitchen walls that replicate the Lake District slate and brick from the original illustrations.
Visitors to the flower show have delighted in viewing the three distinct areas of the garden; The Natural garden, with a ‘Long Scarlet’ radish patch, long grass and wild flowers with a slate backdrop and flagstone pathway leading to the Greenhouse Garden, with planted herbs and a view directly in to the greenhouse full of plants, pots and tools and of course Peter Rabbit’s ears peeping out of the watering can. Finally, Mr. McGregor’s vegetable plot is surrounded by a clipped box hedge and an abundance of vegetables and herbs. Peter Rabbit’s blue jacket creates a scarecrow, whilst the gooseberry bushes that he got caught up in are not far away.
Richard Lucas said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a gold medal for our Peter Rabbit Herb Garden which has brought a real taste of the Lake District to Chelsea. Visitors to the show have so enjoyed it, noticing all the tiny details which we have faithfully replicated from Beatrix Potter’s illustrations. The garden is packed full of cottage style flowers, herbs and vegetables and has made people smile.”
Stacey McShane, General Manager at World of Beatrix Potter said: “People of all ages love the famous little books and remember the drawings and illustrations. Our garden has brought those images to life and many visitors to the flower show have said that our garden is their favourite in the Great Pavilion. We are incredibly proud to have won a gold medal for our garden which also showcases many scenes from our Peter Rabbit Attraction garden in Bowness, and we hope that it inspires those that have seen it to come and visit us in the Lake District.”
On press day the Peter Rabbit™ Herb Garden enjoyed a royal visit from the Her Majesty The Queen’s granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, along with many celebrities including Richard E Grant, Kim Wilde, Victoria Wood, Gaby Roslin, Cerys Matthews, Lesley Garrett, Rachel de Thame, Gary Kemp and many more. Sarah Melhuish, Marketing & Communications Manager from World of Beatrix Potter Attraction said: “The garden has really captured the imagination of the VIPs and invited guests on press day. We were delighted to welcome so many special guests to our garden and show them a piece of the Lake District, as well offering them a slice of famous Grasmere Gingerbread!”
The Attraction has made a series of short films to document the ‘making of the Peter Rabbit Herb Garden’ which can be viewed online along with more images at www.hop-skip-jump.com/chelsea.