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Welcome to our new member (December 25). This delightful traditional Victorian award-winning tearoom is the beating heart of the beautiful nursery in East Lothian. With ample free parking, leave your car and enter through the old stone archway, through the nursery gardens to the lovely tearoom “a cozy retreat nestled amongst the gardens.” Serving light bites, homemade soups, cakes and indulgent treats in the beautiful conservatory where one can look out on nature and plantings and feel totally relaxed. There is additional seating both indoors and outside.
A super place for any age and stage to enjoy seasonal treats, stock up on garden essentials or simply inhale the floral scents and enjoy a rural pause with a delicious scone and a pot of one of their specialty loose teas. Barista coffees and steaming hot chocolates also on offer. Walk-ins welcome however you can also book out the whole tearoom for an evening occasion if you wish. Contact them direct to check availability.
Smeaton Nursery Gardens is situated in the walled garden of an 18thC mansion house that no longer exists. The Gray family bought the estate in 1934, and George and Anne Gray continued the good work of the original owners, planting, tending and maintaining the gardens and the estate. The walled gardens were first opened as a nursery in the 1960s and is now safe in the hands of the next generations. From seeds to seasonal bedding plants, vegetables to all kinds of varietals, including family favourites and rarities, all nurtured by a knowledgeable team to help create your perfect garden. They also have bee hives, wild flower patches and an impressive heritage tree collection with a place in the National Tree Collection of Scotland.
The Greenhouse Gallery stocks a marvellous range of carefully curated gifts, cards, decorative art and local crafts. Much of the impressive art is the handiwork of Helen Gray who also takes commissions (LINK). Included in the Gallery is a range of stunning textiles: blankets, rugs, tweeds and yarn, from their Ryeland flock.
The Estate is a working farm including wheat, barley, vegetables, potatoes, and peas, alongside parkland, woodland and a lake. Conservation is key to their farming management and the variety of wildlife regularly spotted is testament to this. They specialise in heritage breeds such as their fold of Highland Cattle and coloured Ryeland sheep and there are holiday cottages available to rent.
