Winton Memorial Garden

The Winton Memorial Garden was built by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM) in Oaken Park, Maidenhead, to honor Sir Nicholas’s humanitarian actions that led to the rescue of 669 children from Nazi.

RBWM appointed Project Centre as planting designer. The brief aimed at creating an aspirational planting scheme that would narrate Sir Nicholas’s journey and values. It was essential that the landscape would create a range of emotions, evoking connection and hope.

Jonathan Howe (CMLI) initially developed the spatial design and later commissioned Project Centre to develop the planting design.

Sookyoung Im (CMLI) was responsible for the planting design, conveying Sir Nicholas’s special journey. David Moores (CMLI) was the Director that oversaw the delivery.

The quality of this garden is a testament to the collaborative effort between Project Centre and RBWM throughout the project.

This garden is now a beloved destination by both locals and visitors. It creates a sense of pride within the local community and celebrates the life/legacy of Sir Nicholas.

The planting concept is symbolically aligned with Sir Nicholas’s challenges and values (see ‘Innovation’) creating a reflective space with a planting narrative which represents the journey of Sir Nicholas. His family felt the garden reflected his life and we were very pleased to hear that he would have ‘loved it’.

The design enhances biodiversity through its rich layers of planting using herbaceous perennials, shrubs, bamboos and trees. We’ve also used planting to express the special journey through composition, structure, texture, colour and seasonality whilst encouraging the interaction of people with the garden.

Sustainability was at the heart of the planting design. From the start, consideration was given to create a robust planting palette. This helped considerably in terms of maintenance and the exuberant development is a testament that the strategy was a success.

Engagement was critical to the success of this scheme. As an example, students from Courthouse Junior School and Furze Platt Junior School were involved during the implementation which gave them a sense of ownership.

The design addressed the client’s brief in full, creating a special garden that elevates the memory of Sir Nicholas.

Symbolism was used throughout the garden to represent the journey of Sir Nicholas Winton.

As you enter the garden, the yellow and black bamboo represents ‘the protection of children from evil spirits’. This provides some enclosure, screening the view whilst building anticipation through the rustling sound as to what is coming next. Wild strawberries were planted under the bamboos, to symbolise peace, attributes that Sir Nicholas cared dearly. The fruits can also be enjoyed as an edible landscape element.

The winding path represents the challenges he faced, with railway sleepers being laid in a track-like pattern that symbolises the train that transported the children to safety.

The journey continues to where the view opens-up. Here you can enjoy a mix of cool and warm coloured plants, where some are aromatic, including the white lilac which symbolises innocence and peace. This leads to the tranquillity of the pond. There are seating areas, pockets of lawn to relax and paths to stroll – all for people to enjoy this beautiful garden.

The Winton Memorial Garden showcases what can be achieved when thoughtful planting practices are at the service of a strong narrative.

The planting scheme of the Winton Memorial Garden successfully met the brief of bringing the extraordinary journey of Sir Nicholas to life through unique planting design. It became an inspirational and enjoyable landscape destination which will continue to evolve and attract people in years to come.