The much-loved Open Gardens scheme run by Cornwall Wildlife Trust and its volunteers gets underway this April with old favourites and some exciting new venues.
Last year the Open Gardens scheme attracted 3,000 visitors and raised a record-breaking £30,000 making it its most successful year ever.
Some of Cornwall’s spectacular and varied wildlife-friendly gardens will be opening to the public throughout the spring and summer on selected Sundays starting with a hillside garden in the village of Constantine between Falmouth and Helston.
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As well as habitats to explore from wildflower meadows and woodland trails to ponds, terraces and walled gardens, visitors can be inspired by the wide range of plants that grow in Cornwall’s maritime climate, offering food and shelter for wildlife as well as inspiration for gardeners.
Each garden will provide home-baked cakes and home-grown plants to buy, all donated by volunteers. The scheme is also supported by local companies, Cornico Coffee from St Issey near Wadebridge, Daymer Bay Drinks, and traditional Cornish clotted cream from Rodda’s.
Marte Martin, Community Fundraising & Event Manager at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re back and so excited about the 2023 Open Gardens season.
“Our ten wonderful garden visits include three new ones and an evening opening too.”
Marte added: “The Open Gardens events wouldn’t happen without our team of dedicated volunteers, who work tirelessly to deliver this wonderful programme.
“Our success depends above all on our visitors, and we look forward to welcoming all those who fancy spending a relaxing Sunday out among the flowers and the trees.”
Round-up of dates and names of locations for the Open Garden schemes in Cornwall:
April 23 - Lower Penbothidno, Constantine: a hillside with woodland groves, herbaceous areas, wildflowers, a formal garden and sunny courtyard, sculpture, pottery, and exotic plants
May 14 – Trenarth, Constantine: gardens around a 17th-century farmhouse with an ancient courtyard, water and bog features, children’s garden trail, woodland bluebell walks and a new veg and flower garden.
May 21 – 2 Trenance Cottages, Newquay: family garden with landscaped lawns, shrubberies, fruit, veg and an orchard adjoining a paddock and woodland.
25 June - Duloe Manor, Liskeard: beautifully maintained gardens, parkland, rose garden, and ancient woodland, with the remains of an 18th century landscape.
August 6 - Goenrounses, Summercourt: former working farm returned to nature with a lake and island, flower meadow, a deep lane, ancient oaks and orchard. Aston Martin Club vintage car display and a live band.
September 17 – Pedn Billy, Mawnan Smith: picturesque garden with beautiful specimen trees, flowery terraced borders and ancient woodland and a view over the Helford River.
The total raised for wildlife over a decade of the Open Gardens scheme now stands at over £130,000 so far, with funds always needed for ambitious projects to support and restore wildlife and wild places.
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The charity hopes that 2023 will prove to be another popular year for Cornwall’s wild, wonderful and unique open gardens.
Visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/open-gardens for more information, including entry and access details for each garden.
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