Beatrix Havergal (1901–1980) established in 1932 the Waterperry School of Horticulture, a school of horticulture for ladies, that continued until her retirement in 1971.[3] The story of the Waterperry school is told in the book Waterperry: A Dream Fulfilled by Ursula Maddy.[4] The Waterperry estate provided Royal Sovereign strawberries to Buckingham Palace and the Chelsea Flower Show.[5]
In 1972, the School of Economic Science purchased the Waterperry Estate, including Waterperry Gardens, which it continues to run to generate revenue for the school.[6][7][8]
The gardens are considered notable for the broad variety of snowdrops that grow in the spring.[16]
The Museum of Rural Life is housed in an 18th-century granary building, with displays of implements and tools.[17] Other facilities include a gallery, garden shop, gift shop, museum, plant centre, and tea shop.
The music video to the song "Yesterday" by artist Natalie Shay was filmed at Waterperry Gardens.[18]
Since 2017, the Waterperry Opera Festival has taken place in the grounds and the house. Over 4,000 patrons attended their 10-day festival in August 2022.
In 2023, the BBC programme Make it at Market used Waterperry Gardens as the backdrop to the second series.[19]
^Oliver, Greg (2 October 1978). "Home of the Royal Berry". Coventry Evening Telegraph.
^Hodgkinson, Brian. (2010). In search of truth : the story of the School of Economic Science. London: Shepheard-Walwyn. ISBN9780856832765. OCLC670184437.
^Tolley, Dorine, 1947- (2009). De kracht van binnen : Leon MacLaren, een herinnering aan zijn leven en werken. Oyen, P.G. van (Paul Gabriël), 1944- (1e dr ed.). [Amsterdam]: Conversion Productions. ISBN9789076392387. OCLC520799536.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)