Goodbye For over three decades Eastgrove Cottage Garden in Worcestershire has been regarded as one of the finest cottage gardens in England. Now after 35 years of opening to the general public we have decided to retire.

Our original plan was to close in July 2010, but a health problem made us change our ideas and we closed at the end of our 2009 season.   Eastgrove Cottage has become just our private home and garden. Every enterprise has to continually change and develop and we, as gardeners, have to recognise when moments for change arrive. So here is a little postscript. There are three stages in gardening. First "creating the garden" which is relatively easy; second "keeping it going for decades" (hard work); third "adapting the garden for your dotage". The biggest problem is making the change while you still have the strength and WHEN that moment comes are you ready to admit it! rather than realise when it is too late. It gives us great pleasure that people came to Eastgrove Cottage from all over the country and indeed from all over the world. We thank all our visitors for their support and friendship and now we ask that our privacy be respected. Keep gardening!  We shall - but just for friends, family and our own enjoyment. Carol and Malcolm Skinner  - November 2009