Welcome to Horticap

Located at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries, Otley Road in Harrogate, we’re an independent, registered charity with suitably qualified staff and a team of volunteers who provide adults with learning and other disabilities training in horticulture, allied crafts and rural skills.

Horticap at 40

2024 is a very special year for Horticap as we celebrate our 40th anniversary of helping people to grow… growing together.

We set out in 1984 with the simple belief that the lives of our students could be enhanced by connecting with nature through the horticultural skills they learn at Horticap. Our students are Horticap’ s unsung heroes who have contributed to 40 years of growth.

There have been many milestones along the way, from the development of Horticap’s facilities, which now includes a gift shop, café and gardens, to the numerous awards and recognition we have gained at prestigious events, such as the Great Yorkshire Show.

We would like to extend our thanks to all who have helped us on our way; your contribution has helped us cultivate a brighter future for our students by unlocking their potential through the magic of gardening.

We now have students helping in the shop and café, which has resulted in their confidence growing and social skills increasing.

We are marking our birthday year with a diary of commemorative fundraising and events and look forward to your continued support as we celebrate together with confidence that the next forty years will continue to see us grow.

Follow the Horticap journey using the links below:

GENERAL OPENING TIMES

HORTICAP MON-SAT 9AM TO 5PM AND SUNDAYS 10AM TO 4PM

HOPKINS MON-SAT 9.30AM TO 4.30PM (LAST ORDERS 4PM)

AND SUNDAYS 10AM TO 4PM (LAST ORDERS 3.30PM)

Our Aims:

To provide our students who have learning and other disabilities with a supportive and friendly working environment so that they may develop their social and communication abilities. We aim to help students extend their knowledge and skills, through structured training using professionally qualified staff and volunteers.

To build, maintain and grow a beautiful garden for members of the public of all ages to enjoy which includes a wildlife and bird spotting area, as well as beautiful flowers, plants, trees and shrubs. We also have various seating areas to enjoy a picnic and a shop where an abundance of plants, gifts and garden items can be purchased.

A Message from our Patron

The spirit and enterprise of Horticap never ceases to amaze and delight me. I am proud to be their patron and urge everyone who knows the therapeutic qualities of gardening to support the sterling work they do. Using gardening as a means of enriching lives is something I have valued all my life; Horticap is living proof that it can transform lives.

Alan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL

Horticap is a registered charity supporting adults with learning and other disabilities, through training in horticulture, related crafts and rural skills. We are based at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries on Otley Road in Harrogate.

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