Pines Garden
Six-acre organic garden at St Margaret's Bay with a tea room and a small museum on local Second World War history, run by the Bay Trust.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Pines Garden was founded in 1971 by Fred Cleary, a chartered surveyor, environmentalist and philanthropist who moved from London to St Margaret's Bay in the 1940s. The St Margaret's Bay Trust and the Rippledown House Trust, both created through his Cleary Foundation in the 1960s and 1970s, merged in 2009 to form the Bay Trust, an environmental education charity.
The garden covers six acres, with a lake, a grass labyrinth, mature trees such as walnut, fig and pomegranate, and a statue of Winston Churchill. It has been run organically since 2002 and today uses regenerative methods, including hugelkultur beds whose produce is used in the tea room.
A small museum next to the tea room shows local history from the Second World War, with exhibits on former residents such as Noel Coward and Henry Royce, and information on the trust's Rippledown House education centre. The Pines Calyx, an events venue built from rammed chalk and recycled materials, stands in the grounds.
Highlights
- Six-acre organic garden with lake and grass labyrinth
- Small museum on local Second World War history
- Exhibits on residents such as Noel Coward and Henry Royce
- Statue of Winston Churchill
- Pines Calyx eco events centre
Permanent exhibition
- Local Second World War history museum – A small museum next to the tea room with Second World War objects, two Morrison shelters and exhibits on local residents such as Noel Coward and Henry Royce.
- Operated by
- The Bay Trust
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The garden, tea room and museum are at ground level with level access, but the site sits on a cliff with some sloping garden sections. The road and the steps leading down from the nearest bus stop are very steep. There is one disabled bay by the tea room with a ramp. The museum has an accessible toilet, large-print interpretation boards and no hearing loop or braille. Dogs on leads are welcome. Mobility scooters can be charged in the cafe.
Kids & families
The garden includes a story-telling hut and a grass labyrinth.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bay Hill bus stop · 300 m
The nearest railway station is Martin Mill, 4 km away; the trust does not offer a collection service, but accessible taxis are available. Buses between Deal and Dover via St Margaret's-at-Cliffe stop at Bay Hill, about 300 metres away, followed by a steep footpath with more than 200 steps.
By car
Free parking
Free parking for 25 or more cars on the trust site in St Margaret's Road, with about 10 more spaces in Beach Road; spaces may be reserved for hirers when the Pines Calyx is in use. A free car park in St Margaret's-at-Cliffe is 1.6 km away and pay and display parking at the beach car park is 250 metres away.
- Accessible parking
Postcode CT15 6DZ. The garden is also on the King Charles III England Coast Path and the ChalkUp21 Trail.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop: not available
The Pines Tea Room serves lunches, drinks and cakes; there is no shop, but fruit, vegetables and plants are sold outside the tea room.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Pines Calyx eco events centre can be hired for conferences, training, performances and weddings.
Inquiries & details
