Wisteria Garden Party celebrates nature’s beauty at Exeter’s Pinces Gardens
Published: 16 May 2024
A vibrant garden party will be taking place at Exeter’s Pinces Gardens this weekend to celebrate the local community and the 134-year-old magnificent wisteria which is now in full bloom.
The Wisteria Garden Party will be a free and uplifting event packed with entertainment in Pinces Gardens on Sunday 19 May, from 12 to 4pm.
The community event is hosted by Cowick Roots and Recreation and funded by The Norman Family Trust and Exeter City Council, with kids entertainment sponsored by Cartridges Law.
The amazing wisteria arch has been delighting visitors since Victorian times – the bloom is one of the highlights of the year in Pinces Gardens, and a great asset to the community.
The family-friendly event will be a chance for people to come together and enjoy free entertainment and activities aimed at all ages, and celebrate the wisteria in bloom.
It will feature:
Storytellers and performances to suit all ages
Indie market with local crafters
Fun activities for kids including a Punch and Judy show, Circus Skills and graffiti workshop
Wild flower crown-making
The Birdhouse Singers
A chance to play with the Croquet Club
A May Flower Parade through the Wisteria at 3pm will be led by Border Morris dancers - Otter Morris. Anyone can join in - wear flowers in your hair or go all in any wear some fancy dress to celebrate nature’s gifts.
There will be face painters there to transform people on the day.
There will be food and drinks to buy - tea, coffee and cakes with Garland@The Birdhouse, BBQ, Pizza van and an ice cream van.
The beautiful wisteria arch in Pinces Gardens has been a focal point for the community since the 1880s.
This May, the wisteria is looking as good as ever, with its colourful blooms.
The City Council purchased Pinces Gardens in 1912, converting it into a ‘pleasure ground’.
The site had previously been one of Exeter’s first famous nurseries owned by William Lucombe, featuring an Italian Garden and later replaced with vast glasshouses packed with orchids and rare palms.
The 1880s saw another transformation with the installation of the 45-yard long wisteria arch which has been maintained until the present day.