Sunday 29 May 2 pm – 6 pm
Lymington Open Gardens is a popular event in the Lymington social calendar. It returns this year on Sunday 29 May from 2-6pm, and features 14 gardens, including four new ones. The event is organised by the Friends of St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery, with all profits helping the museum care for and display its unique collection, mount exciting art exhibitions and further the museum’s extensive outreach programme – putting the community at the heart of everything we do.
The gardens vary in size from small, urban, courtyards to more expansive lawned gardens, featuring long established gardens as well as those newly planted. On the High Street there is one of Lymington’s original town gardens while, nearby, another offers an oasis of calm. Some gardens have been specifically designed, one as a sensory garden, another featuring gravel to counter a high water table. Other gardens feature raised beds and themed fairy gardens for the grandchildren, vegetable plots, experiments in advanced composting techniques, chickens, as well as ponds, pergolas and patios in varying styles. In one garden you can see what may be the oldest plane tree in England, whilst another features a magnificent Scarlet Oak. Whether you are a plants-person or are interested in garden design and layout, or you just enjoy the beauty of the garden, you are bound to find a garden to suit your tastes. And the garden owners will be on hand to answer your questions.
Admission to the gardens is by programme, costing £7.50 per adult. These will be available throughout May from the St Barbe Museum welcome desk (open 10-4 Monday to Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday 29 May).
Alternatively, you can buy your programme – CASH only – from 2pm on Sunday 29 May at any one of the participating gardens:
The programme includes a map to help you plan your afternoon. The Old School Cafe at the Museum will be open for teas, coffees, light lunches and cake (until 4pm). Teas with home-made cakes will be available at the United Reformed Church on the High Street.
There will be several plants stalls, including outside the Museum.
While many gardens are within walking distance of each other, a bicycle might enable you to visit all fourteen. Parking details are also given on the programme. Nearly all gardens are accessible by wheelchair, at least in part.
