18 Flamingo Rd, Hilton - Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct

A former show garden turned jungle, this once-forgotten gem has been lovingly restored into a vibrant, structured English country garden, now blooming with over 300 roses and brimming with renewed charm and character.

Since moving to the property in 2022, Sarah Bowman has breathed fresh life into every corner, transforming it from overgrown to orderly, and from shaded to sun-drenched. The result is a stately, elegant garden that still manages to feel warm, welcoming and whimsical.

Designed with both beauty and playfulness in mind, the garden features perfectly symmetrical foundations, rolling lawns and secret paths that lead to fairy hideouts nestled in glades, delighting young explorers. There's also a rose-lined arbour, a lemon orchard and a playground—making this garden as inviting for children as it is for garden lovers.

At the heart of the design is a tribute to Sarah’s beloved grandmother, with planting choices and peaceful spots chosen in her honour. Only natural fertilisers and homemade compost enrich the soil, with collected rainwater and Hilton’s signature mist nourishing the plants. Echoes of the past remain in the form of a beautifully preserved old windmill, a reminder of the property’s origins and an anchor in this story of revival.

Whether you’re coming for the roses, the nostalgia, or simply to enjoy a few tranquil moments, this garden offers a heartfelt experience for all who visit. Pack a picnic - and come and enjoy.

Dates: Sat 25 & Sun 26 Oct
Address: 18 Flamingo Rd, Hilton
Times: 9am - 5pm
Entrance: R10p/p

Directions: Coming off the highway, turn into Hilton Avenue, towards the Shell Garage. Turn left into Park Lane (just before the Checkers Centre) and then immediately right into Azalea Road, just below the centre. Continue for 1,5km until you reach a sharp corner with the Garden of Remembrance on your left. Turn right into an avenue of plane trees and continue up to the first gate on your left (no. 18).