Is the cottage garden under threat of extinction? Maybe! But plantsmen and gardeners are fighting back against climate change. In this talk Steve Edney will share plants to overcome the summer dry weather that can also cope with the winter wet. Steve will include practical advice on how to garden in dry conditions and still have the romance of a cottage garden.

After studying at Hadlow College in Horticulture and at Merrist Wood College in Arboriculture, Steve worked as a private gardener, tree surgeon and designer. In 2005 he joined The Salutation in Sandwich to helm a 5-year restoration plan, leading to an award winning garden that was recognised as amongst the finest in the country.

Steve uses direct observation and his love of the natural world to supplement his technical skills as a grower, breeder, horticulturalist and arboriculturalist. He creates gardens that are homes for people and wildlife. His home garden, created with his partner Louise, has appeared on BBC Gardener’s World and has gained gold awards for gardening for wildlife from the Kent Wildlife Trust. Other accolades include multiple RHS Gold medals.

Since 2019 Steve and Louise have been working on The Land project, where they have built The No Name Nursery, a sustainable plant nursery in Kent.

Steve is a freelance garden consultant and an international lecturer talking on many gardening topics all firmly rooted in his practical gardening life.

Sunken Garden Eco Fair 2025 is a day filled with educational workshops and inspiring discussions focused on sustainability and environmental conservation.

Sunday 21 September 2025, 11.00 to 4.30pm

We are offering a price range for tickets, as Sunken Garden Society is a not-for-profit grass-roots community group, lead and run by volunteers. All ticket fees will go towards the cost of the Fair and the upkeep of the Garden, please choose the option that you feel suits your situation best.

Established in 2018 the Sunken Garden Society is a volunteer community group formed to assist the local council in the management and revival of this historic garden. The society run regular Community Gardening Days and events to promote the garden.

A big thank you to all the Sunken Garden supporters including Kent Community Foundation, Mayor of Margate Fund, CoOp and Thanet District Council

How to get to the Sunken Garden

Roads: the garden is situated just of Royal Esplanade, accessible from the A28 (Canterbury Road). Free parking along the roadside or pay and display in Barnes Avenue carpark located below the garden at the undercliff

Buses: The number 8, 8A, 8X, 932 and 34 bus routes run along Westbrook Avenue with stops at Tyson Avenue, Bridge Crossing and Cliff Avenue. Requiring a 2 to 5 minute walk to the Garden

Trains: Alight at Westgate on Sea or Margate train station, both require an approximate 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride

Kent Costal route, Viking Coastal Trail, King Charles III Coastal Path: The garden is situated on top of the chalk cliffs that run alongside the engineered concrete sea defence and coastal promenade

Sunken Garden Eco Fair:Drought Tolerant & Coastal Planting with Steve Edney