Charity open gardens event in Old Town this weekend

Eleven local gardens of all shapes and sizes in Old Town will be open to the public for a good cause this weekend.

Sunday, 10 July will see a selection of gardens open for members of the public to visit between 12pm - 5.30pm. 

As well as being able to visit the gardens, attendees can browse the local plants sales and enjoy afternoon tea.

Tickets are priced at £5 each for adults, with accompanied children going free. 

The tickets can be purchased from the Old Town Hardware, on Wood Street, from Earle’s Newsagents, on Newport Street, from 14 Wood Street, or on the gate of one of the open gardens on the day.

Each ticket will have a list of the open gardens available, along with a brief description. 

The Old Town Open gardens will be raising funds for TWIGS Community garden project and Swindon City of Sanctuary.

Holly Barrand, who is opening her garden for the first time said: “I have always enjoyed visiting open gardens, especially local gardens where you can get inspiration for what grows well locally and also get great ideas for you own garden on a scale and budget that is realistic.

"I find garden owners are also happy to give advice and discuss what works and what hasn’t worked”.

The eleven open gardens range from small terraced spaces, to larger half an acre+ plots that include ornamental, cut flower, vegetable, herb and wildlife garden designs.

Some gardens will be offering refreshments, and some will have plant sales. There will also be one garden providing a children’s activity.

A spokesperson for the event said: "Some people avidly visit all of the gardens fuelled by delicious home-made cakes and a cuppa on offer in lovely garden surroundings. Others simply wander around the gardens nearer to their own home and stop and enjoy refreshments and a chat to the other local garden visitors.

"The weather looks good for a lovely local open-air day out, and with fuel prices rising, local days out are becoming increasingly popular."