Sanctuary Garden

A haven of tranquillity where people can relax and take a moment to reflect, the Linc Sanctuary Garden is a special place for many in the community.

Garden Maintenance and Volunteering

The Linc Sanctuary Garden is lovingly maintained by a dedicated team of Linc Charity Volunteers, who ensure the space looks its best all year round and meet on the last Friday of the month between March and October. Their hard work not only enhances the beauty of the garden but also fosters a sense of community and connection among local residents.

Our volunteersuse this time to do something positive for the local community with individuals, teams and businesses saying how much it has enhanced their lives, built on their skillset and made a difference to those who use the garden.

Due to its proximity to Cheltenham General, the garden is regularly enjoyed by patients and clinicians alike. Many have shared how it serves as a sanctuary, particularly for those on their cancer journey, offering a peaceful retreat from the busy hospital environment. The garden is also cherished by the wider community, and we are incredibly proud that it is a space to be enjoyed by everyone.

Sustainability was at the heart of the garden’s design, which surrounds the existing gothic Whish fountain structure. Inspired by the shape of a four-leafed clover to symbolize luck, the garden features sustainable perennial planting that requires no watering and is easy to maintain. The planting choices were made with care, incorporating plants with health benefits and those that contribute positively to the environment by attracting bees and insects.

An incredible £45,000 was raised to complete the garden, with generous donations from the lottery, Gloucestershire County Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, corporate donors, and public contributions. This funding paid for the landscaping and planting, transforming the space for generations to come.

Linc Sanctuary Garden Events

We all know that a garden has a multitude of uses, and at Linc, we encourage the wider community to be part of our special space and use it for the greater good. In previous years it’s been used for fundraising events such as yoga classes and picnics, so if you have an idea to open up the opportunities of what we can use the garden for to raise even more money for Linc, then we’d love to collaborate.

Relax and take a moment to reflect…

The Linc Sanctuary Garden is a special place for many in the community, offering a serene escape where people can relax, reflect, and find peace in the tranquillity of nature.

Linc Sanctuary Garden History

Opened in March 2019 by the Mayor of Cheltenham, the Linc Sanctuary Garden is the result of hard-working people whose tireless energy turned a mundane space into something magnificent that provides a sanctuary which boosts the mood of many every day.

Located within Sandford Park next to Cheltenham General Hospital, the mission of the garden when work began in January 2019 was to create a peaceful and beautiful space where hospital workers, patients and the public can escape from the pressures of life and aid recovery.

Designed by the visionary Mark Sheldon, whose wife spent a long period of time at the hospital and experienced the tranquility that being outdoors brought during illness, his drive was to give something back and to thank Linc for the key part we played in her recovery.

We welcome all abilities and ages, with no experience required, just a willingness to get stuck in to assist with the maintenance and keep it blossoming for months to come. If you can’t dedicate your time each month, just come to the sessions you can.

Become a volunteer Events