Nick Hamilton developed his passion for gardening, aged 9, when his father purchased a derelict garden centre in Kettering. He worked with his dad at weekends and during school holidays.
He trained at Writtle College in commercial horticulture and his sandwich year placement was at Darby Nursery Stock in Norfolk where he later worked and at other nurseries until his father purchased a piece of land, adjacent to Barnsdale, in 1989. This land formed the nursery and ultimately part of Barnsdale Gardens and Nick worked closely with his father in the family business.
Nick took over the running of Barnsdale Gardens when Geoff died and has developed it into the inspirational garden that it is today. These inspirational gardens are still run using organic and peat-free. You will find Nick at Barnsdale on most days, occupying the “hands on” role he so enjoys.
Over the years Nick has also managed to fit in appearances on Gardeners’ World, writing books, being a regular contributor to gardening magazines, talking to gardening groups, W.I’s, etc, contributing to the various Talks Stages at major flower shows, as well as tutoring most of the courses being run at Barnsdale.
On top of all this he is still creating Gold Medal winning displays in the Great Pavilion at The Chelsea Flower Show and in the Floral Marquee at the Gardeners’ World Live Show. Nick is also the President of The Cottage Garden Society, a position he took up in 2007.