Opened in July 2005, the sensory garden at Surestart in Tilbury, uses a mixture of instruments, planting, structure and hard works to create a space designed to stimulate the senses of early years children.

The garden includes batonkas, chimes, gurglophones non-sound-items from Bingbangbong as well as the overall design. The planting is designed to provide smell, taste, touch and vision; all plants are safe to be handled by very young children. A range of walking surfaces with a variety of textures were used to provide visual definition of the areas as well as being part of the sensory fabric of the space

Because this area receives significant attention from unwanted visitors, it was necessary to upgrade all the instruments and fixings to increase resistance to vandalism and theft. It was also necessary to install security throughout the site with cameras, lights and anti climb fencing.

The design revitalised a number of under utilised areas of the site that lay outside the centre's cafe. Now parents can have a drink or some lunch on the new deck and watch their children playing in the new musical sensory garden.

The garden's concept and design is by by Paul Marshall and landscape architect Peter McDonald.

Project management by Martin Abley

Hardworks and planting by Ian and Paul from Acer Landscapes.

Surestart Co-ordinator Annie McKinney

Made possible through the generosity and support of the Cory Trust