The Gardens

The walled gardens were originally sited on land lying between the main gates and the river and a sole ancient apple tree survives bearing fruitful testimony of this first enclosure. The present site is some 500 yards west of the Castle and visitors are welcome to visit the gardens and the Garden Centre which was opened in 1978. The entrance to the gardens is through the Bell Gate. The Bell came from the Dower House at Broxmouth, near Dunbar and until recently was used to signal the start and finish of the working day in the gardens.

In the outer walled garden, on the east side, can be seen a summerhouse known as the Queen's Room which was built for Queen Victoria's visit on 21st August 1867. It was designed so that she could sit and enjoy the 'Corridor' which was a tropical glass house 300 feet long from which seven glass houses 60 feet by 20 feet opened at right angles. Each greenhouse was devoted to the growth of plants and fruits as follows:

• No. 1, Soft-wooded greenhouse plants
• No. 2 Mixed vinery
• No. 3 Black Hamburgh vinery
• No. 4 Orchids
• No. 5 Muscat and other vines requiring a high temperature
• No. 6 Peach- house
• No. 7 Hardwooded greenhouse plants.

The corridor itself contained Camellias, oranges and other flowering plants. These greenhouses have now been demolished.

Floors has for many years been famous for the quality of its carnations; indeed several original varieties such as the pink 'Duchess of Roxburghe' and the darker red 'Duke of Norfolk' were propagated here.

The walled garden produces flowers, fruit and vegetables for the Castle as well as containing extensive herbaceous borders and rose beds.

A wide selection of house plants and container-grown plants including heathers, alpines and many of the varieties which can be seen in the herbaceous borders, can be bought at the Garden Centre during the season.

Recently, improvements have been carried out to the Garden Centre including the erection of a pergola at the entrance and specially designed alcoves for climbing plants and trees.