Paul Twyman, Head Gardener at Yoakley House, will share how he has kept alive the Victorian way of gardening, creating calm and beauty

Discover why and how Paul Twyman, Head Gardener at Yoakley House, has chosen the Victorian way of bringing exotic plants, including pineapples, into the grounds at Yoakley. He’ll take you on an exploration of the bright and geometric bedding, treating plants as works of art and giving them space for admiration.

You'll leave with ideas for your own space, full of enthusiasm to implement them.

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Paul Twyman trained at RHS Wisley and has been in private horticulture for over 50 years. He came to be Head Gardener at Michael Yoakley’s Charity in Margate from Hever Castle and has been awarded Kent Life’s Garden Designer of the Year 2025.

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Sunken Garden Eco Fair 2026 is a day filled with educational workshops and inspiring discussions focused on sustainability and environmental conservation.

Sunday 20 September 2026, 11.30am to 4.00pm

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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.

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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.

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A big thank you to all the Sunken Garden supporters including Charles Burnett III Memorial Fund through Kent Community Foundation, Vattenfall, Kent County Council Members Grant from Luke Evans, Margate Rotary, Academy FM and RHS

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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

Description supplied by the event organiser.