28/09/2026
*Phase 1 complete at the Littlemoor Walled Garden*
Photo Credit to Cath Muldowney (thanks Cath!) - 'After' video at the end :)
We are delighted to share that Phase 1 of the Littlemoor Walled Garden restoration project is now complete.
This first phase has seen the garden carefully cleared and stripped back, with unsafe and ramshackle internal structures removed from inside the walls. It has not been a straightforward job at all. The work involved taking down unstable buildings attached to a structure that needs to be preserved, dealing with unknown waste, and uncovering some unusual finds along the way, including many stored window frames and large numbers of stashed empty bottles.
We want to give particular thanks to our contractor, Dan Keegan of D Keegan Plant, Groundworks & Excavation Ltd, who won the contract through fair pricing and a clear understanding of the heritage and nature-sensitive requirements of the work. His attention to detail, care around the existing structure, and practical handling of a challenging site have been hugely appreciated. Finishing the job on time and in budget within the constraints laid out by the council and the grant givers is not always easy. Particular thanks also go to our Jim who project managed on the ground to ensure that this was the case. And finally, to our Council project coordinator who is always there to guide and help us move forward. She is our constant champion!
As most locals are aware, the walled garden once formed part of the Littlemoor Castle estate, serving the needs of the house and its grounds as a kitchen garden. It is one of the last surviving intact structures of the great house within the grounds of Littlemoor. Our aim is to honour that history while giving the space a new community life to further the purpose of our newly declared Nature Reserve.
With Phase 1 now complete, the garden is an open space again, ready for the next stage. Phase 2 will focus on restoring the walls and bringing them out of disrepair, with the long-term aim of returning them to their former strength and character.
We are currently waiting to hear about grant funding for Phase 2 and hope to have news soon. Fingers crossed this comes through soon so we can move straight into the next stage of the restoration.
Phase 3 will then look towards the future where we aim to create a community space for education, growing, propagation, nature reserve care and local benefit.
This has been a hard-fought project over many years, and seeing the space cleared and made safe is a huge step forward. Thank you to everyone who has supported the project so far. There is still a long way to go, but Phase 1 has made the future of the walled garden feel possible again. Thanks go to all involved in the project.
