Little
Sparta is a place for contemplation, intellectual receptiveness and
enjoyment. The garden as a whole discloses to the viewer who walks
round it many complexities of meaning, sentiment and wit. It is also a
fragile place, easily damaged by the northern climate and constantly
requiring careful conservation.
For this
reason visits to the garden are on Wednesday, Friday and
Sunday afternoons, 2:30-5pm, from 27th May to 30th September. There is
no need to make an appointment unless you are organising a
visit
for a group of 10 or more, in which case, please call Laura Robertson
on 07826 495677 or contact her by e-mail.
The fee for visiting the garden is £10.
The
garden is not suitable for young children (under the age of 10 years)
and there are no concessionary rates. Dogs are not allowed in the
garden.
Car
parking is about half a mile (700 metres) from the garden and strong
footwear is recommended for the track leading up from the car park to
Little Sparta.
Transport
from Edinburgh 2011
There will be a minibus service from central
Edinburgh to Little Sparta
on
seven Friday afternoons:
May 27th, July 29th, August 5th,
12th, 19th, 26th, and September 2nd.
The
package, priced £25 per person (plus a card booking fee), includes
return transport from central Edinburgh, admission
to the garden and your choice of a guidebook or a photography permit.
To book online go to our partner ticketing service The
Booth.
Photography
Policy
Little
Sparta in its entirety is protected by
copyright. On payment of a £5
fee, visitors may take photographs or
video for their own private use or study. However,
no images of Little Sparta may be published or broadcast without
explicit prior permission from Wild Hawthorn
Press (telephone +44 (0)1899
810252).
Driving Directions
Little
Sparta is reached from Edinburgh by following the A702 as far as
Dolphinton, where there is a
right turn to Dunsyre. About a mile after passing through Dunsyre,
Little Sparta's car park is on the right hand side.
From
Glasgow leave the M8 at junction 6 for the A73, then the A721 at
Carluke; continue to Newbigging where there is a left turn to Dunsyre.
Before you reach the village Little Sparta is on the left.
For satnav
users, the postcode is ML11 8NG, but be sure to turn in at our car park
and not one of the neighbouring farms.
Public
Transport and Accommodation
Travelling
to Little Sparta by public transport is a challenge. One option is to
travel by bus from Edinburgh and then either walk 4 miles from the
Dunsyre road
end, or arrange to meet a pre-booked local taxi.
You can see the timetable for the Edinburgh-Dumfries bus
service 100/101/102 at TravelineScotland.
Another
option is to put together a group of up to 14 people and come by minibus.
There are several accommodation options available
locally including bed & breakfast and self-catering.
The
