The Count and Countess Charles de Salis held the very first Yarlington Plant Fair in the courtyard of their beautiful home in 2002, and have been fundraising for local good causes every year since (bar Covid-ridden 2020).
Now in its 20th year, this is not just any old plant sale – specialist growers and dealers from all over the South West bring with them rare and unusual plants. The Yarlington House stall is also a big draw and is stocked with home-germinated and grown-on plants – many interesting and unusual flowering annuals and perennials, as well as numerous vegetable varieties.
The fair is an annual highlight for keen gardeners and also provides a special day out for garden enthusiasts. There is the chance to explore the beautiful flower garden and walled kitchen garden, which will both be open to visitors on the day of the fair. The Count and Countess have lived at Yarlington House since 1961, and have developed the gardens over that time – introducing, among other things, a ha-ha, a sunken garden, hedges-on-stilts and, most recently, a beautiful wild-flower meadow. The result is a beautiful combination of formal and informal areas. The walled kitchen garden is a short distance from the house and is cultivated to provide an abundance of fruit and vegetables year-round.
This year the fair will be set in the spacious park (to allow plenty of space between stall-holders). The fair runs from 10am to 4pm with tea, coffee and cake available all day.
Entrance is £5 (under 16s free) and payment can be made by cash or card. All the money raised goes to charity – this year funds will go to the Church of St Luke and St Teresa in Wincanton.
Yarlington House, Yarlington, Nr Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8DY.