Visit an out-of-this world space garden
Published
Tuesday 4 August, 2026
Updated
Tuesday 4 August, 2026
Families looking for a fun and unique educational day out can learn about the solar system at a one-of-a-kind Newton Space Garden in Faversham.
The garden is the brainchild of the Brogdale Collections and the UK Space Agency and features a sapling grown from seeds of the very apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton's theory of gravity.
These seeds were then taken to the International Space Station by UK astronaut Sir Tim Peake, where they floated in zero gravity for six months.
After returning to Earth, the seeds were nurtured into saplings at Kew Gardens, with one now taking centre stage at Brogdale's new attraction.
The garden also showcases additional apple trees with connections to space and Newton alongside a living willow planetarium dome, and willow entrance tunnel.
A space themed adventure trail, featuring fun obstacles, takes children from the dome - positioned as the sun - through different planet garden beds, explaining the universe in a fun and interactive way.
The Space Garden is also next to Brogdale’s Weather Station offering the opportunity to learn the importance of the universe and climate on our weather and life on Earth.
A £7,000 grant from Swale Borough Council’s Rural Swale Small Business Grant (RSSBG), funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund, has helped make this project possible.
Financial help of this kind is vital as the charity relies totally on its own revenue and fundraising.
Find out more about the Brogdale Collections by visiting their website.
Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of property and regeneration committee, said:
“Brogdale offers the children of Swale a fun and exciting place to learn about the world, and our universe, while out in nature.
“We are incredibly proud to have helped support their latest space garden project, which is a one-of-a-kind learning experience, featuring a truly out of this world tree.
“The new space themed willow planetarium and adventure trail is just one of many interactive areas – with a world music garden, weather station, wildlife garden and orchards all contributing to an amazing summers day out for the whole family.
Alan Roe, chair of Brogdale Collections trustees, said:
“We are extremely grateful to receive support from Swale towards this unique project, and now that the space dome has grown, we have created a central focus next to the special space tree.
“This is a unique and inspiring way in which to excite, inform and educate, giving children the chance to learn in a space where they can breathe, and move, under the open sky in the beautiful Kent countryside."
