The Eternal Garden provides an indoor and outdoor space for our end-of-life patients to spend time with loved ones recounting memories, and for colleagues to use the space to deliver difficult news and decompress following a challenging day. The Eternal Garden can also be used by parents who are under the care of our Maternity and Neonatal services whose babies have sadly died or are receiving palliative end of life care.
The patioed garden is surrounded by pleached trees, leafy plants, fragrant flowers and the sound of trickling water, as well as benches for loved ones to be together away from clinical settings.
Located in the courtyard is a garden room which contains homely furnishings, heating and facilities to make drinks, with glass bi-fold doors allowing patients and their families to use the space all year round.
The Eternal Garden has been designed by award-winning garden and landscape designer Rae Wilkinson and was funded by the Friends of St Peter’s Hospital.
To ensure privacy for our patients, we ask that you please call 01932 723553 to book time to spend in The Eternal Garden.
Below is a collection of photos from the garden. Click on an image to enlarge.
Eternal Garden Wins Award
The Eternal Garden at St Peter’s Hospital has won an award at the 2022 Pro Landscaper: small project BIG IMPACT Awards in the Planting Design Under £25,000 category.
This category recognises planting designs which have been completed for under £25,000 that demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of the setting and how the plants work in the space as well as together, all year round.
The Duchess of Gloucester opens new staff garden at St Peter’s Hospital
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester joined staff from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to officially open a new staff garden, The Queen Elizabeth II Staff Covid Recovery Garden, at St Peter’s Hospital today [Friday 12 May 2023].
The Duchess was greeted by the Surrey Lord Lieutenant, Mr Michael More-Molyneux, Chairman, Andy Field, Chief Executive, Julie Smith and Chief Nurse, Andrea Lewis, as well as Rae Wilkinson, who designed the garden and Harry Gray, who created the sculpture. Her Royal Highness was then shown to the Queen Elizabeth II Staff Covid Recovery Garden, where she joined staff from across the Trust to officially open the garden.
