Barnards Farm Gardens, West Horndon, Essex CM13 3FY (on the A128, 1 mile South of the A127) are open to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme and for The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO. The 22 hectares of gardens at Barnards Farm range from landscaped walks through young woodland to the precise detail of the Japanese garden. The more formal gardens including a parterre, herbaceous borders, a living wall and the vegetable garden are found nearer the house.
Introduction To The Gardens:
Barnards Farm Gardens, West Horndon, Essex CM13 3FY (on the A128, 1 mile South of the A127) are open to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme and for The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO.
The 22 hectares of gardens at Barnards Farm range from landscaped walks through young woodland to the precise detail of the Japanese garden. The more formal gardens including a parterre, herbaceous borders, a living wall and the vegetable garden are found nearer the house.A walk through the managed landscape will take in the long avenue, a stream, ponds, and the Euro wood. A striking feature in the SW corner is the belvedere, planted largely with roses providing a blaze of colour in summer.
A significant collection of sculpture is disposed throughout the garden providing some interesting surprises. Many artists and nationalities are represented and the collection includes works by Elizabeth Frink, Jean-Marie Fondacaro, Antony Gormley, Thomas Heatherwick, Nicolas Lavarenne, Bernard Holmes, Charmiane Cox and Monica Young.
Barnards Farm is home to the National Collection of Malus (Crab apples) and so benefits from blossom in spring time and colourful fruit in autumn.
There is a grass airstrip and the design and development of the gardens have been influenced by consideration of the aerial view. Pilots and passengers are welcome. (PPO)
The gardens and buildings at Barnards Farm are owned and managed The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO
Introduction To The Gardens:
National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens – The world’s leading garden plant conservation charity, bringing together the talents of botanists, horticulturalists and conservationists and the dedication of keen amateur and professional gardeners. – nccpg.com
The Thames Chase Trust – The Thames Chase Trust aims to make the Thames Chase Community Forest an inspirational example of landscape regeneration through cost effective environmental improvements that changes lives and demonstrates these values through exemplar community led management at the Thames Chase Forest Centre. – www.thameschase.org.uk
Flying Farmers Association – The Flying Farmers’ Association Ltd. was formed in the United Kingdom in 1974. The Association is open to any farmer, forester or landowner who owns an aircraft or operates an airstrip. – www.ffa.org.uk
Mission Aviation Fellowship – Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed. – www.maf.org
Camelia Botnar Foundation – The Camelia Botnar Foundation provides residential training and work experience, helping young people to learn a skilled trade, embark on a useful career path and successfully make their own way in life. – cameliabotnar.com
Miniature Railway Magazine – Miniature Railway fills the gaps left by other publications.They specialise in 5″, 7.25″, 10.25″, 12.25″ and 15″ miniature railways – both the commercial and garden varieties – and touch upon just about anything, either scale, miniature or narrow gauge. – miniature-railway.com
Megarrys Tea Shop – The relaxed and friendly tea & coffee shop caters for every taste in hot and cold beverages, and offers a wide choice of sumptuous home made cakes and sponges, rock and cup cakes. We also serve scones with cornish clotted cream and jam. You can also enjoy freshly toasted crumpets or teacakes. In cooler weather you can warm up with a cup of soup and a hot roll.Judi and Peter are old bike and car friendly. They will want to photo your old steed in front of the shop. peter runs a Bike meet on Blackmore Village Green in May. – www.megarrysteashop.co.uk
Brush Runabout – Everyman’s Car – Everything you need to know about the Brush Runabout Everyman’s Car can be found here. – www.brushauto.net
Historic Commercial Vehicle Society – The HCVS was the first commercial vehicle club to be formed in the 1958 and it certainly led the way. The Society has continued through the years as the largest organisation for historic van, lorries, buses, military and steam vehicles and this will continue under the trustees. The society represents the movement as a whole regarding historic commercial vehicles of all types whether their owners are members or not when it comes to legislation. – www.hcvs.co.uk/
Artsy – Artsy’s mission is to make all the world’s art accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. Thomas Heatherwick features on it too… – www.artsy.net
Christabella Charitable Trust CEO:
Registered Charity No. 1213682
The Christabella Charitable Trust was established in October 1988 by a significant gift from its Settlor. It was transitioned to The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO in early 2026.
Its annual income is derived almost entirely from its investments, and is used to maintain its grounds and buildings at Barnards Farm in West Horndon gifted to the Trust. These grounds contain the largest collection of malus (ornamental crab apple) trees in Western Europe and are open to the general public and study groups. The well equipped buildings in their extensive and beautiful gardens are available as a training and conference centre and as a meeting place for approved charitable organisations and causes.
In line with the Settlor’s original wishes, the balance of its income is used to support a wide range of good causes. The Trust has helped fund over 400 projects since its inception. The Trustees will normally strongly favour applications from local organisations and individuals, i.e. from within the Essex and East London area. They prefer “seed corn” funding of projects involving volunteers and seldom donate to annual running costs or building refurbishment. However the lower investment returns experienced in recent years has meant that very little, if any, income has remained for other projects.
Application for grants or donations are therefore normally only accepted for a limited number of exceptional projects each year which are of special relevance or interest to the Trust. If you have something you believe may be of interest to the Trust please contact its administrator at the following address:
Trust Administrator
The Christabella Charitable Trust CIO
Unit 6A Ashbrooke Park
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS11 5SF