Looking Back, Growing Forward

40 Years of Larch Cottage

Humble Beginnings

Peter’s path to founding Larch Cottage in 1984 was anything but conventional. Before establishing the nursery, he pursued a diverse range of interests—from ballet and photography to wildlife conservation with the RSPB and landscape design. This relentless curiosity and creative drive led him to create Larch Cottage, originally as a specialist supplier of rare and unusual plants for his landscaping projects.

What began as a small venture quickly flourished into a renowned nursery, now home to one of the UK’s most extensive collections of rare shrubs, perennials, and climbers. Peter’s vision extends beyond horticulture—his deep-rooted love for art, nature, and craftsmanship is evident throughout Larch Cottage, making it a truly unique destination.

In 2009, he embarked on one of his most personal projects: designing and constructing a small chapel within the gardens, where he later married Joanne in 2014. Today, Larch Cottage is not only a thriving business but a reflection of Peter’s lifelong dedication to beauty, nature, and family.

Receiving the RHS Partner Garden of the Year award in 2021 was a proud milestone, but just one step in our continuing journey. As we look ahead, Peter’s vision remains as bold as ever—a legacy of creativity, quality, and inspiration that will carry us into the next 40 years.

Ever evolving

As you will notice on any return visit, the nursery is always evolving with both major and slightly more minor additions. Whether this is the addition of the extension on the restaurant, a pond (or two) and of course further architectural additions to the nursery itself.

Peter always has an idea up his sleeve, and his creative flair is evident wherever you wander through the nursery. The family’s love of Italy also comes through, with the Romanesque style walls and statues that adorn every path and corner.

My Poem – The Creation of a Garden

by Peter Holt

Peter explains that to him the creation of the private gardens was like writing poem… In 2000 on his way to look at the land that would become the private gardens Peter could smell hot dust and saw a green dusty door with peeling paint as he came into the village. This he says was his inspiration for the gardens that he went on to create. It was blank canvas to put his thoughts and ideas into a 3D version of the poem in his mind. This was dictated by the atmosphere and feelings of the land, and not from sitting down with pen and paper to create a plan, as this is not how Peter works. The garden was already there waiting to be awakened and brought to life, and it was a privilege to be given the opportunity to create something fantastic.

If you are wondering what happened to the green door it is now the small front window in the restaurant

Peter started to put his ideas into action in 2000, and in 2009 he began one of his most ambitious projects to date. The design and build of a small chapel set amongst tranquil gardens standing at the head of a small lake, as this was to be the setting for his marriage to Joanne in 2014.

Using local stone and slate Peter designed and created every part of the chapel and gardens. From the digging of the foundations to the creation of the bell tower; the slating of the roof to the design of the emblem over the porch; to the making of the altar table and stained-glass windows.

Figurative artist and friend of Peter, James Walsh was then commissioned to frescoe the interior of the chapel. He started work in the May of 2014 in readiness for the wedding, then returned on several occasions over the following year. When you visit the chapel take a moment to reflect and enjoy the peace and tranquillity it brings and stop and look and the wonderful paintings, there is even a nod to the special occasion.

You can visit the chapel and gardens every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from May until September

La Casa Verde

With its humble beginnings as a tea shop for customers to enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cake when they came to buy some plants, to serving the best Italian coffee and cakes, La casa Verde has continued to develop and grow just like the rest of Larch Cottage. Branching out to offer home-made pizzas, cooked in a traditional bread oven, and the now extended menu that offers a true Mediterranean feel using only the best quality ingredients, and where possible using homegrown produce. The restaurant is now open all day, every day, offering breakfast as well as lunch. It continues to serve the finest coffee with a selection of homemade cakes throughout the day, as well as its now infamous scones.

Alongside the extended menu there have been several additions to the restaurant space. This started 30 years ago when Peter built the balcony, which now looks stunning every May when the wisteria is in bloom and offers a wonderful view over the nursery. Then in 2015 the extension was built, giving more space to the upstairs area, followed by the kitchen refurbishment and extension in 2019.

As well as major additions there have been ongoing tweaks and changes throughout the years. This has included the recent addition of a new wood burner and stunning tables for the balcony. These have been hand crafted in Italy by Domiziani, the designs hand painted in ceramic glazes onto volcanic stone, so each one is unique. Alongside this, the balcony roof has also been renewed allowing the warm sunshine to filter through whilst you enjoy wonderful food and the friendly welcome and ambience La Casa Verde offers.

Our most recent projects in La Casa Verde – A new wood burning stove, Our fabulous tables, a new seating area in the front and a new roof on the balcony.

Help us to Celebrate

To celebrate 40 years of Larch Cottage we have several events over the year.

This year we are raising money for Eden Valley Hospice. Please visit our Eden Valley Hospice Page to find out more, including our grand raffle and buying the specially named Eden Valley Rose.
Our private gardens and chapel will be open every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 4th May will proceeds going to Eden Valley Hospice
This year we are able to re-enter the RHS Partner Garden competition. Please vote for use when the voting opens on 17th April
We will be giving away a commemorative acer to customers who spend £100 or more. This will hopefully be in mid to late April so keep an eye out on our social media pages to find out more. (1 acer per customer)
Mid Summer music on the lawn. On Saturday 21st June the Rhubarb Thieves will be entertaining us on the lawn.
Christmas Preview – on Sunday 2nd November it is our annual Christmas preview. We will be drawing our grand raffle in the afternoon and the MUGs will be playing some festive and well know tunes to get our toes tapping.

Forever Growing…

Peter’s creative drive is still as strong as ever and he always has a project on the go. In 2023 he created a new walled kitchen garden with a mixture of old and contemporary styles by building brick columns with glass in between and a surround made using the Shou Sugi Ban technique, an ancient Japanese method, that involves charring wood to preserve it and create a unique aesthetic.

At the start of the year he re-built the walls at the front of the restaurant to create a new seating area that is in keeping with much of the Romanesque style you will see around the nursery.

He is currently building a ‘Moon window’ in the Japanese garden, something he has planned to do since he first developed this area of the nursery. Once complete it will create a view down through the nursery pillars into the Japanese garden and then to the field beyond.

He also has plans afoot to have a small staged area on the lawn,his eyes light up when he discusses the design for the oak frame, and the opportunities this will bring for local musicians.

Looking Back, Growing Forward

40 Years of Larch Cottage

Reflecting on the Past,

Growing Towards the Future

Humble Beginnings