Residents of the charming chocolate-box village of Wichenford in Worcestershire are all set to open their garden gates to visitors this June.
Thousands of visitors flock to the village on the weekend of its biennial fundraiser, this year organised for Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June. The popular event has donated more than £100,000 to local charities over the last 20 years.
The event has built up a loyal following of garden gurus and floral fans who return year after year. The weekend will raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice, Marie Curie and other local organisations.
For just £5 admission covering both days, 11am to 6pm, visitors will be able to wander around 20 gardens of all sizes and styles, many with beautiful rural views to the Malvern Hills, the Cotswolds, Witley Court, Abberley Clock Tower and beyond. Several of the gardens are prize winning and have featured in national and international magazines. One will even be seen on Channel 4 in the near future!
Morning coffee, lunches with a licenced bar and afternoon teas will be available and visitors can discover market stalls and garden sales of plants and local produce, as well as vintage furniture, local artwork and African sculptures. The South Worcestershire Bonsai Association will also be exhibiting.
Alice Brunt, Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice said : “The Wichenford Open Gardens weekend event offers visitors a real treat. Gardening fans and those who enjoy trips to beautiful English villages will certainly not be disappointed! We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the organisers who continue with their generosity to help fund our hospice care.”
Mitchell Cogger, one of the many local residents helping with the event, said : “We would be delighted to welcome again as many Worcestershire residents to come along on the weekend of 24 and 25 June. The gardens are open from 11.00am to 6.00pm. Visitors can enjoy the many tranquil gardens from small village informal ones to an RHS one; this will give them the chance to enjoy the rural area Wichenford is located in and pick up ideas, inspiration, gardening hints and tips, or just explore the corners of the village not normally open to the public.”
Wichenford is a lovely old village which was first mentioned in a charter in 1100 and by 1299 was well settled. For history fans, several gardens surround listed properties, the Washbourne Memorials in the local church date from 1615 and The National Trust has the 17th century half-timbered Wichenford Dovecote. The local countryside boats hundreds of pollards, some of which are now rare finds in the UK, indicating a long and established past in the village.
For more details visit http://wichenfordopengardens.webplus.net/index.html, Facebook Gardens of Wichenford or call 01886 888 295.