The Bull’s Cross-based college has won gold for a second successive year at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair

The winning garden and (inset) the Cape Manor College team

Capel Manor College students have picked up a gold award at a national competition – for the second year running.

The team of students, who are studying a professional gardening diploma at the college in Bull’s Cross, won gold in the ‘college gardens’ category at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair 2025.

The college’s show garden, dubbed ‘Aspects of Nature’, was recognised for its excellence in design, horticultural knowledge, sustainability and execution.

It marks the second consecutive year Capel Manor College has achieved gold at the spring fair, following last year’s success.

Responding to this year’s theme, nature’s art within a garden, the Capel Manor creation explored how nature creates beauty in contrasting environments. Featuring two distinct sides, the design expressed this duality through thoughtful use of texture, light, decay and growth.

Judges praised its clear concept, detailed planting, creative use of repurposed materials, and its sensory and educational value. From moss-covered logs and fungal textures on the woodland-inspired dark side to sun-loving, drought-tolerant planting and sculptural focal points on the Mediterranean-style light side, the garden was said to deliver a “compelling and immersive visitor experience”.

Zephaniah Lindo, head of curriculum for horticulture and landscape at Capel Manor College, said: “Winning gold is a huge achievement and well-deserved recognition for the commitment, professionalism and creativity our students have shown.

“This project challenged them to think deeply, work to a live brief and produce something with real public impact. They’ve done that and more.”

Students were present at the award announcement and spoke with visitors throughout the weekend, sharing the inspiration and process behind the build.

Following the show, elements of ‘Aspects of Nature’ will be relocated to Capel Manor College’s five campuses across London, including Bull’s Cross.

For more information about the garden:
Visit capel.ac.uk/bbc-gardeners-world-spring-fair-2025

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