Sandsfoot Management Plan
Sandsfoot Gardens This site description and action plan, together with the ‘Management of Green Flag Gardens’, forms the basis for the maintenance, management and development of Sandsfoot Gardens. The Sandsfoot Gardens action plan builds on the success of previous plans, which has seen the gardens retain its Green Flag for 5 years. A large amount of development work was undertaken during 2010 to 2016 and, in the main, is complete. When the first plan was created it focussed on improving the heritage by implementing a Heritage Lottery Fund castle restoration project, opening up the Henrician castle to the public. It also dealt with issues relating to antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and drunks but these problems have been overcome to the benefit of all. Now, with a great sense of achievement and satisfaction, the latest plan moves on to ensure the maintenance of the high standards continues and will identify new and emerging requirements for the gardens. The plan will be reviewed annually but on-going feedback from stakeholders and meetings with the Friends will enable continuous development. Introduction Sandsfoot Gardens lie just to the west of Weymouth, within the ancient parish of Wyke Regis, and surround the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, built by Henry VIII in 1539. This small but beautiful garden is made up of seasonal flowers, herb beds, herbaceous borders, shrub beds, lawns and hedges, which surround an ornamental pond in the centre of the grounds. The gardens provide one of the best uninterrupted views of the entire bay and, as such, provided a viewing opportunity for the 2012 Olympic sailing events held in Weymouth bay and an unsurpassed viewing opportunity for the Paralympic games sailing events held in Portland Harbour.
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