Wedgwood House Therapeutic Garden

Wedgwood House is a mental health in-patient unit located adjacent to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. There is an unused strip of land behind the unit which measures 85m in length and with a width that varies between 4m to 15m. This section of land borders on to the neighbouring Hardwick Heath with a deep buffer zone of scrub and wilderness, which encloses the garden beautifully.

The new therapeutic garden has been designed to promoting and supporting treatment, recuperation and recovery of patients at Wedgwood House and improving the physical as well as the mental well-being of their carers and staff. This is also an outdoor space where an ongoing programme of garden maintenance and educational workshops are delivered to the wider Wedgwood House community. 

The design of the garden is underpinned by an understanding that the need for natural ‘wild’ outdoor spaces rich in species is greater for those struggling to meet everyday mental demands and stimuli. The garden has been divided into spaces that place different level of demands on users and with choice of places to rest ranging from intimate spots of refuge to larger open areas suited for groups.

One end of the garden is more ‘wild’ in character with an elevated section where secluded seating has been included with a good view over the full length of the garden. A growing garden, which is an ordered space with room for individuals to work together, is located at the opposite end and is where horticultural therapy sessions and educational workshops will be held.