Explore the charm and beauty of South Devon’s gardens through Rowcroft Hospice’s much anticipated Open Gardens programme for 2024. Showcasing a variety of gardens in all shapes, sizes and styles, this year’s line-up promises an unforgettable glimpse into some of the most fascinating secret green havens in South Devon.
Building upon the resounding success of the previous year’s events, and raising muchneeded funds for the hospice, there’s something to captivate every nature lover’s heart.
The enchanting gardens in the line-up boast features such as beautiful borders, ponds and other water features, orchards, woodlands, veg and fruit patches, walled gardens, wildflower meadows, bogs and beehives.
Every garden’s host looks forward to welcoming you, with some offering refreshments. The gardens are open to all and will raise vital funds to care for local patients with life-limiting illnesses and those closest to them.
“We’re so grateful to our generous, green-fingered friends for kindly agreeing to open their gardens to raise funds for the hospice,” said Rowcroft’s Fundraiser Hayley Townsend.
“This year, we are so excited about the brilliant line-up that includes wonderful gardens in Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, Galmpton, Kingskerswell, Kingsteignton, Manaton, Newton Abbot, Torquay and Totnes – all to raise funds to care for our community. There’s something for everyone – whether you want to learn more about gardening techniques, take a short stroll among colourful blooms, or simply sit and enjoy a cuppa in a glorious
natural space.”
Last year Rowcroft’s Open Garden events raised enough funds for Rowcroft’s Hospice at Home service to provide specialist care to eight patients in their last two weeks of life at home. This year the charity hopes to showcase an even greater diversity of gardens, and is inviting anyone with a garden they’d love to share with their community to take part.
Featuring in the Open Gardens Programme 2024 is Peter and Angela Blakesley’s ‘Two Pips’ on Fluder Hill, Kingskerswell.
“Two Pips was designed and built by my husband and I six years ago,” said Angela. “We are very much novice gardeners, but we know what we like, and we set out from ‘scratch’ planting everything in the garden. This was mostly with success, but the garden keeps evolving, and looks slightly different each year as we continue to learn. We have a steep back garden, which brings challenges, but also affords great opportunities.
“My husband and I have been long-term supporters of the invaluable work that Rowcroft delivers. We’ve both ran the London Marathon for Rowcroft, and my husband, who is an artist, also raised funds via Open Studios. My father was recently supported with his endof-life journey, and we couldn’t be more honoured to be raising much-needed funds through the Open Gardens event.”
The Open Gardens programme features a remarkable choice of gardens to explore throughout the summer months. For example, on Saturday 8 June in the lovely hamlet of Olchard near Kingsteignton (12pm – 5pm), there are eight beautiful gardens including charming cottage style gardens, substantial walled gardens, a water garden, large vegetable plots, and an orchard with cider tastings. On Sunday 9 June, Rowcroft Hospice is opening its stunning gardens in Avenue Road, Torquay, between 12pm and 4pm. There will be guided tours at 1pm and 2.30pm (no booking required), and there will be refreshments and cakes available at the pop-up café. And in Galmpton on Sunday 16 June (11am – 4pm) the Open Gardens trail includes around a dozen gardens of every style from classic country to amazing ‘show’ gardens and grand formal gardens. For the full line-up of garden events see: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/opengardens
“The gardens all have something unique for visitors to enjoy, and we encourage everyone to visit a garden or two in your area to support your local hospice,” added Rowcroft’s Hayley Townsend. “We’d also like to thank Majestic Tours for kindly sponsoring this wonderful programme.”
Mark Wright, owner of Majestic Tours, commented: “Here at Majestic Tours we are so proud to support such an important charity in our local community. We know what a special role they play in helping patients and their families at the end of life and it is wonderful to play our part and sponsor the Open gardens once again in 2024.”
With the first garden in the Community Open Gardens programme opening its gates on 30 May, details of all the events can be found on Rowcroft’s website at www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/opengardens along with information regarding parking, facilities and admission donations/fees. Money raised from the events will be used to fund the specialist care that Rowcroft provides each year to 2,500 adults living with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon.
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