Discover Pitmedden

If you’d like to combine your stay with garden and agricultural history, Pitmedden is an interesting place to start. Pitmedden Garden and the Museum of Farming Life offer two perspectives: the garden’s origins date back to the 17th century, while the museum connects this early history with Pitmedden’s more recent agricultural past. When looking for a hotel in Pitmedden, you can first decide whether the garden, the historical themes, or both will be the focus of your stay.

Garden Design and History

The Great Garden was originally laid out by Sir Alexander Seton in 1675. The Great Garden also features a striking polyhedral sundial, believed to date from around 1675. These two details give your visit a specific historical context, though they differ in precision: 1675 is given as the date the garden was originally laid out, while the sundial’s date is approximate. Its many-faceted shape, described by the term “polyhedral,” is another distinctive design feature.

The parterres at Pitmedden Garden contain 30,000 bedding annuals. This gives the garden’s design a concrete dimension alongside its history. The parterres draw the eye to the flower beds, while the number of plants makes the planting itself a distinctive feature of the garden.

Agriculture at the Museum

A tool shed with tools and machinery is part of the Museum of Farming Life, as is a recreated farmer’s living room. Visitors can therefore explore different perspectives: tools and machinery on the one hand, and a recreated living space on the other. In this way, the museum connects agricultural history with vivid insights into working and domestic life.

The Art Exhibition is also part of the area’s history: for more than two decades, it was held annually in the stables at the Museum of Farming Life. This long-standing tradition adds a cultural dimension to the garden’s history and agricultural themes.

Garden Loop, Woodland Trail and Getting There

If you’d like to extend your garden loop, the yellow trail passes through more of the estate’s woodland. It adds a woodland section to the route. The difference is in the course: the garden loop remains the starting point, while the yellow trail also takes in woodland.

The Pitmedden Garden Estate Walk runs from the Bonnyton Road bus stop to the garden entrance. If you plan to use this route to get there, check bus connections before setting out. That way, you can include the walk from the bus stop to the garden entrance in your plans.

Garden Produce at the Tearoom

Rhubarb, apples, pears and salad leaves from the garden are used in dishes at the Pitmedden Garden Tearoom. The tearoom also serves Pitmedden’s own apple juice, made from apples grown on site. This makes the garden connection tangible at mealtimes, too. As the menu may change, check what’s currently available before your visit if you’re interested in a particular product.

Discover more destinations: Inverurie, Tarland, Portsoy, Banff, Insch, Banchory, Aboyne, Aberchirder

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