There’s a particular moment in early summer when the garden at the Fleece comes into its own. The peonies are in bloom in the courtyard, the borders are full and flowering, and on a warm afternoon, there’s nowhere better to sit with a drink and let the world slow down a little.
A garden grown with care
We’ve been developing the garden at the Fleece for years. The courtyard borders are built around established perennials: peonies, arum lilies, roses, and cottage garden flowers that self-seed and return reliably each summer. Through the seasons, the planting shifts and evolves – seasonal additions keeping the garden interesting and colourful whatever the time of year.
The same approach runs through everything at the Fleece. The food, the rooms, the welcome – it’s all the result of consistent care and a genuine attachment to doing things properly.
Planted with pollinators in mind
When the garden was designed, pollinators were central to the planting decisions. The borders are chosen to attract bees and other insects, which feels right for a pub sitting on the edge of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, one of the most important areas for wildlife and biodiversity in the north of England.
Just over the bridge at the bottom of the garden, a local beekeeper keeps hives in the small adjacent field. The bees find their way through the garden freely, and after the honey harvest, the Fleece Inn honey finds its way into the village shop. It’s a small, quiet loop that’s in keeping with how we operate.
Rooted in the seasons
The garden follows the year. Spring brings the early perennials and bulbs. June and July are peak season – peonies and roses at their best, the courtyard at its most colourful. By late summer the mood shifts, the seedheads form, and the borders take on a different, softer quality. Autumn brings its own pleasures: foliage, late colour, and seasonal planting that keeps the garden looking its best right through to winter.
Come and enjoy
If you’re joining us for lunch or dinner this summer, it’s worth finding a table outside. The peonies won’t be around for long.
To book a table, call us on 01524 791233.