The Freedom from Torture Garden: A Sanctuary for Survivors by Emma O'Connell - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-freedom-from-torture-garden-a-sanctuary-for-survivors) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-freedom-from-torture-garden-a-sanctuary-for-survivors) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) ![A large, undulating woven willow structure winds through a naturalistic sanctuary garden with a cone-shaped clay oven on a stone wall.](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7be31fc6-a9db-4156-a741-f8fe9a81ad12/conversions/primary_image-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-chelsea-flower-show-2024) Sanctuary Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-medal/icon.webp) Silver Medal The Freedom from Torture Garden: A Sanctuary for Survivors ============================================================ Designed by Emma O'Connell, John Warland At a glance Show RHS Chelsea Flower Show Year 2024 Category Sanctuary Garden Large Show Garden Photo: Royal Horticultural Society About this garden The story ----------- The Freedom from Torture Garden is a place of sanctuary, of peace and hope where horticultural therapy calms, heals and restores survivors of torture on their journey to recovery. The garden is designed to be a curvaceous and immersive space, where the visitor can engage in therapy one-to-one, with family, or in a group. The communal bread oven brings survivors together to share stories and build new friendships. Sculptural streams of willow divide the space, enwrap the visitor and provide an organic place of sanctuary. A sinuous water rill offers both irrigation for the plants, and restorative relaxation. Naturalistic planting stimulates happier memories of home and edible produce nourishes both body and soul. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-medal/icon.webp) Silver Medal RHS The people behind it Designers ----------- - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/emma-oconnell/profile_photo.jpg) Emma O'Connell Designer Emma O'Connell Garden Design ](https://gardensdb.com/people/emma-oconnell) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/john-warland/profile_photo.webp) John Warland Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/john-warland) ### Wider Team 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/tom-hare/profile_photo.webp) Tom Hare Artist - Willow Sculptures ](https://gardensdb.com/people/tom-hare) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7be31fc6-a9db-4156-a741-f8fe9a81ad12/conversions/primary_image-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/90c2868b-c611-462e-8475-27f12c3c9098/conversions/image_1-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/d575513f-6056-41a3-affe-56fc86082098/conversions/image_2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/336606b8-03b6-40f0-948a-5fc8cf2b9dbe/conversions/image_3-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/04aaf8d8-d8e7-4d51-8d17-c625e44d46c5/conversions/image_4-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/017d8ec6-f1fe-426f-a779-d092b7a5d95a/conversions/mqdefault-gallery.webp) The Freedom from Torture Garden - Episode 1 ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/693686c3-975c-4e0d-ba08-508ecac91bac/conversions/mqdefault-gallery.webp) The Freedom from Torture Garden - Episode 2 ![]() / Hero image Set as hero Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Design Studio 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/studios/emma-oconnell-garden-design/logo.webp) Emma O'Connell Garden Design ](https://gardensdb.com/studios/emma-oconnell-garden-design) ### Landscaper 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/living-landscapes/logo.webp) Living Landscapes ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/living-landscapes) ### Plant Providers 4 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/nurseries/beth-chattos-nursery/logo.webp) Beth Chatto's Nursery Herbaceous Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/beth-chattos-nursery) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/nurseries/provender-nurseries/logo.webp) Provender Nurseries Specimen Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/provender-nurseries) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/nurseries/kelways/logo.webp) Kelways Specimen Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/kelways) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/peter-beales-roses/logo.webp) Peter Beales Roses Specimen Plants ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries/peter-beales-roses) ### Suppliers 10 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/bushman-wood-fired-ovens/logo.webp) Bushman Wood Fired Ovens Oven ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/bushman-wood-fired-ovens) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/maggy-howarth-studios/logo.webp) Maggy Howarth Studios Mosaic ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/maggy-howarth-studios) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/reclaimed-design/logo.webp) Reclaimed Design Wood ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/reclaimed-design) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/landscape-plus/logo.webp) Landscape Plus Lighting ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/landscape-plus) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/allgreen/logo.webp) Allgreen Stone ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/allgreen) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/no-more-digging/logo.webp) No More Digging Ground Screws ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/no-more-digging) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/torc-pots/logo.webp) Torc Pots Structural Ceramics ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/torc-pots) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/haithwaite-ceramics/logo.webp) Haithwaite Ceramics Clay Ollas ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/haithwaite-ceramics) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/clayworks/logo.webp) Clayworks Perimeter ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/clayworks) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/niwaki/logo.webp) Niwaki Tools & Fine Apparel ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/niwaki) ### Sponsor 1 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/charities/project-giving-back/logo.webp) Project Giving Back ](https://gardensdb.com/charities/project-giving-back) ### Others 2 - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/the-plantman-co/logo.webp) The Plantman & Co Logistical Support ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/the-plantman-co) - [ ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/companies/pearlfisher/logo.webp) Pearlfisher Printed Design ](https://gardensdb.com/companies/pearlfisher) With thanks to Additional sponsors --------------------- - [ Freedom from Torture ](https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. Follow [ gardensdb on Instagram (opens in a new tab)](https://www.instagram.com/gardensdb/) Browse - [ All gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charities ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) Contribute - [ Add a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) - [ Suggest a correction ](https://gardensdb.com/help) About - [ What is GardensDB? ](https://gardensdb.com/help) - [ Contact ](https://gardensdb.com/help) - [ Help & FAQs ](https://gardensdb.com/help) © 2026 GardensDB. A community-driven catalogue.