Picton Castle

Picton Castle has been the historic home of the Philipps' family who are direct descendents of Sir John Wogan who built the Castle over 850 years ago.

Picton Castle is open all year round for weddings and corporate events and during the summer there are guided tours of the Castle which still retains much of its original character.

The 40 acres of gardens are open to the public. Part of the Royal Horticultural Society Regional Garden Scheme they are home to a feast of Rhododendrons, Embothrium and Eucryphia.

The Woodland Gardens burst with colour during the spring with blankets of wild flowers blended with beautiful shrubs from all corners of the world. In the summer the restored walled garden with its enchanting fountain and fernery is a haven of tranquillity.

The art gallery is host to a variety of artist exhibitions and the events schedule is a popular feature of the Picton Castle calendar with garden lectures, open air theatre and family days being just some of the fun events on offer.

Weddings

Picton Castle provides the perfect setting for a fairy tale wedding day with its fine entrance gates and long carriage drive sweeping up to the Castle forecourt. Set in 40 acres of stunning woodland gardens there is a beautifully restored walled garden and fountain, providing an enchanting atmosphere for your special day.

Receptions

Wedding receptions are held in a marquee adjacent to the Castle, overlooking the gardens and the Walled Garden and Castle forecourt are available for champagne receptions.

Civil Ceremony

Civil wedding ceremonies take place in the Great Hall or more intimate ceremonies can occasionally be conducted in the Library.

Gardens

As the late Rhododendrons flare up in the woodlands, scattering flashes of colour where a month ago there was a riotous festival featuring every shade in the rainbow, the walled garden comes into prominence with its summer borders. There are roses old and new, aliums big and small, herbs that promise to alleviate every ailment, and what's left of a great display by gorgeous aquilegia and poppies. Interesting shoots in the borders show there's much more to come so watch this space!

To the right of the entrance to the walled garden, nestling in a neat scree, is a collection of succulents, many from the Canary Islands. For this southern African author, this is a reminder of home - colours like the soft pink shades of aeoniums and the brilliant.

Mesembryanthemum 'Livingstone Daisy' emerge from the hard grey surround as they do in dry and dusty gardens all over central & southern Africa. Roddy the head gardeners asks me to mention they are not hardy and had to be over-wintered under cover.